Maize market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Central Asia expanded from 2 216 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 417 thousand tons by 2020. This growth occurred amid ongoing challenges, including reported imperfections in customs legislation that threatened product quality and a gradually more complex tax administration environment for businesses.

A significant surge followed in 2021, with the market volume jumping to 2 768 thousand tons. This increase was supported by legislative measures aimed at improving employment and specialist training, which enhanced labor productivity in the agricultural sector. The following year, the market stabilized at 2 735 thousand tons, as global supply chain disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic affected international trade flows and logistics.

Growth resumed in 2023, with the market reaching 2 969 thousand tons. This was driven by increased demand for maize as a key source of animal protein, a trend that stimulated both domestic production and trade.

Production maize in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Central Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 344 thousand tons of maize, which is 3.0% more than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 13.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Exports maize from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 31-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Central Asia exported 2 296 tons of maize, which is 96.8% less than in the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 71 930 tons, with the largest increase that year of 80.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the main buyer of maize from Central Asia, accounting for 0.8% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's maize exports were valued at 16 098 thousand US dollars, a modest decline of 5.1% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 968 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 78.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the main buyer of maize from Central Asia in value terms, accounting for 1.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports maize to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold variation. In 2020, Central Asia imported 87 174 tons of maize, which represents a robust decline of 13.5% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 87 174 tons, with the largest increase that year of 116.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, China, and Turkey were the main sources of maize imports by volume for Central Asia. Russia accounted for 7.3% of imports, China for 2.0%, and Turkey for 1.1%, together making up 10.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia's maize imports were valued at 27 590 thousand US dollars, a 4.6% decrease year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 28 912 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 74.9%.

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

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Turkey accounted for 11.2% of imports, Russia for 8.9%, and Hungary for 4.6%, together forming 24.7% of total flows. The remaining 75.3% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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