Maize market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Burkina Faso began the period with production around 1.7 million tonnes and a market volume of 1.7 million tonnes in 2018, supported by growing demand from neighboring countries and an expanding number of local breweries and agro-processing units. Multiple players operated in the market, and processing activities were diversified, reinforcing maize's role as the second-largest crop by volume after sorghum. In 2019, the market volume edged down to 1.67 million tonnes, primarily due to a sharp rise in exports to 40 thousand tonnes, as Burkina Faso maintained its position as a net exporter of maize.

Production increased significantly to 1.92 million tonnes in 2020, lifting the market volume to 1.78 million tonnes. By 2021, despite a slight dip in production, the market volume continued to expand to 1.81 million tonnes, reflecting sustained domestic demand. The market faced significant pressures in 2022 from multiple fronts: the Ukraine crisis triggered a fertilizer shortage, poor rainfall affected yields, and the domestic security situation intensified. These factors contributed to a decline in production to 1.81 million tonnes and a stabilization of the market volume. However, the introduction of more drought-resistant maize varieties and the diversion of fertilizers from cotton to maize cultivation helped mitigate the downturn.

Concurrently, the local processing sector gained momentum with the entry of new players like AgroServ, which aimed to process over 72 thousand tonnes of maize by 2023, sourcing from thousands of small producers. The market was also influenced by the liberalization of the grain sector and contracts with major companies such as Grands Moulins du Burkina. By 2023, production rebounded strongly to 1.995 million tonnes, and the market volume reached 1.996 million tonnes, marking a recovery driven by enhanced yields and growing processing capacity.

Production maize in Burkina Faso

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Burkina Faso's maize production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,920 thousand tons of maize, marking a significant 12.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 25.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize from Burkina Faso

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 4.2 thousand tons, with a sharp decline of 90.6% that year. In 2019, exports surged by 837.2%, followed by a peak in 2020 at 145.9 thousand tons, reflecting a substantial 267.4% increase compared to 2019. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 34 between the 2018 trough and 2020 peak.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Niger was the nearly exclusive buyer of maize from Burkina Faso, accounting for 97.7% of total exports in volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed considerable volatility over these years. Export values hit a low in 2018 at 1,640 thousand US dollars, with an 84.6% decline that year. In 2020, Burkina Faso's maize exports amounted to 20,902 thousand US dollars, showing a 272.1% increase from 2019. Overall, export values fluctuated by a factor of 12.7 between the 2018 low and 2020 high.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burkina Faso in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Niger consistently represented 89.1% of total export value, highlighting a strong reliance on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Burkina Faso in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes followed an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at 1.0 thousand tons, with an 82.5% drop that year. Imports peaked in 2018 at 5.8 thousand tons, then rose to 3.3 thousand tons in 2020, representing a sharp 221.0% increase from the previous year. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 5.7 between the 2019 low and 2018 high.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire dominated Burkina Faso's maize imports in volume, consistently making up 92.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this time. Import values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 109 thousand US dollars, with a 53.0% decrease that year. In 2020, imported maize volumes amounted to 242 thousand US dollars, marking a steep 121.9% year-on-year increase. Overall, import values varied by a factor of 2.2 between the 2019 low and 2020 high.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burkina Faso in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017-2020, the main sources for Burkina Faso's maize imports in value terms were Côte d'Ivoire (49.2%), Mexico (16.4%), and Argentina (13.4%), together accounting for 79.0% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Burkina Faso in value, 2017-2020