Maize market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in Central America increased from 34 278 thousand tons in 2018 to 53 461 thousand tons in 2023. A sharp rise in 2019 was primarily driven by growing imports from the United States, as regional dependence on American supplies intensified. Mexican policies aimed at boosting food self-sufficiency supported domestic production, but did not offset the surge in imports.

Market volume stabilized in 2020 and then grew in 2021, before declining in 2022 due to drier-than-average conditions in Central America, which adversely affected corn production. However, the market recovered in 2023, supported by rising consumption across Latin America.

Throughout the period, Mexico maintained a ban on commercial production of genetically modified maize, ensuring conventional farming practices. Additionally, the crop protection market in Guatemala expanded, reflecting improved agricultural conditions for maize cultivation.

Production maize in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Central America's maize production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 31 052 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output increased by 1.3% to 31 446 thousand tonnes. The most significant production drop occurred in 2018, when volumes fell by 2.4%.

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

Exports maize from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Central America's maize exports have been on a downward trajectory. In 2019, shipments totaled 965 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 they had decreased by 5.2% to 915 thousand tonnes. The most substantial decline happened in 2018, when exports plummeted by 61.2%. There was a brief recovery in 2019 with a 2.5% increase. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 62.3%, representing an average annual decline of 27.8%.

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

Venezuela was the dominant destination for Central America's maize exports throughout the 2017-2020 period, accounting for 70.8% of total shipments. Other countries each held significantly smaller market shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Central America's maize export revenues declined for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports were valued at 223 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had decreased by 7.1% to 207 million US dollars. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, export revenues fell by 55.2%, representing an average annual decline of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Venezuela and Kenya together accounted for 80.3% of Central America's maize export revenues. The remaining 19.7% was distributed among other destinations, each with relatively small individual contributions.

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

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

Imports maize to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America's maize imports showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 4 063 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2019, they surged to a peak of 19 641 thousand tonnes - representing a dramatic 383.4% increase. By 2020, imports had moderated to 19 641 thousand tonnes, showing a 7.0% decrease from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 76.5%. Overall, imports fluctuated by a factor of 4.8 between their lowest and highest points.

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

The United States was overwhelmingly the dominant supplier of maize to Central America throughout 2017-2020, accounting for 92.0% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Central America's spending on maize imports declined after two years of growth. In 2019, import expenditures peaked at 4 143 million US dollars. The following year, in 2020, they decreased by 1.4% to 4 087 million US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when import spending rose by 14.5%. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import expenditures increased by 14.8%, representing an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States effectively dominated Central America's maize import market in value terms, accounting for 93.0% of total import expenditures.

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

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