Maize market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the maize market in Burundi was supported by the ratification of the PAIFAR-B project, which strengthened funding for seeds and inputs, laying groundwork for future production. However, market volume dipped to 294.5 thousand tonnes in 2019 before rebounding sharply to 421.6 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Growth accelerated from 2021, with market volume reaching 618.8 thousand tonnes that year and peaking at 795.3 thousand tonnes in 2022. This expansion was driven by the OFID loan for the PIPARV-B project aimed explicitly at increasing maize production, coupled with amendments to the investment code that facilitated private investment in the sector. In 2022, the introduction of 120 tonnes of improved PAN 53 hybrid maize seeds further boosted yields. However, in 2023, the market contracted to 629.6 thousand tonnes as rising input costs, including for maize flour, led to higher bread prices and reduced consumption of maize-based products.

In 2024, government initiatives continued to focus on supporting maize production, including a livestock intensification program with an agricultural budget, strategic maize purchases by the national food stock agency at fixed prices, and the distribution of improved seeds for planting.

Production maize in Burundi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2019, maize production in Burundi experienced a decline of 6.8%. However, by 2020, production rebounded dramatically, reaching 405.7 thousand tonnes—a 49.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 77.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 21.1%.

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

Exports maize from Burundi

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Burundi exported 0.4 tonnes of maize, showing only a marginal change from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports decreased by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -91.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the dominant destination for Burundi's maize exports in kind, accounting for 99.9% of the total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Burundi's maize exports in value terms amounted to 0.4 thousand US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports decreased by 99.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -87.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, exports in value terms of maize from Burundi were almost entirely concentrated in Uganda, which held a share of 99.8%.

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

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

Imports maize to Burundi

Imports in kind, t

Burundi's maize import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled {value_last_year} tonnes, which is 32.5% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 67.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 31.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda were the primary suppliers of maize to Burundi in kind. Tanzania accounted for 44.0% of imports, Zambia for 26.7%, and Uganda for 17.2%. Together, these three countries made up 87.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Burundi's maize import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 4 937 thousand US dollars, down by 20.7% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 850 thousand US dollars, which represented a 2.8% increase from the previous year. However, in 2019, imports saw the largest decline of 47.5%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 57.2%, with an average annual decline of 24.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda remained the key markets for Burundi's maize imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 88.1% of total flows.

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

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