Maize market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in the CIS countries grew from 12 158 thsd. t in 2018 to 16 777 thsd. t in 2019, a rise driven by a 25% increase in the corn grain harvest in Russia. This followed a period of pressure in 2018 linked to reduced sown areas after their peak in 2017.

After a contraction to 15 953 thsd. t in 2020, the market rebounded strongly to 18 945 thsd. t in 2021. This recovery was supported by a 48% expansion in the production of domestically bred corn seeds, which improved input availability. The market volume then declined to 17 209 thsd. t in 2022, influenced by a reduction in sown areas and uncertainty from heightened international tensions.

In 2023, corn production saw a 5.3% increase due to a significant 15.6% rise in yield, reaching 20 615 thsd. t. However, the total market volume decreased to 16 257 thsd. t.

Production maize in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, CIS countries produced 18 391 thousand tons of maize, marking an 8.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 17 092 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 20 058 thousand tons. The most significant year-on-year increase was observed in 2019, when production surged by 17.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, maize production in CIS countries experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 354 million US dollars, representing a substantial 17.3% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 056 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 26.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

Maize exports from CIS countries declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 2 731 thousand tons, reflecting a sharp 27.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 49.1%, with an average annual decline rate of 20.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Iran, and South Korea were the primary destinations for maize exports from CIS countries, collectively accounting for 57.1% of total export volumes. Turkey represented 23.5% of exports in kind, Iran 22.2%, and South Korea 11.4%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Maize exports from CIS countries declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 497.9 million US dollars, down 34.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 45%, with an average annual decline rate of 18.1%. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 973.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Iran, Turkey, and South Korea formed the key group of trading partners for maize exports from CIS countries in value terms, jointly representing 58.8% of total export flows. Iran accounted for 25.7% of export value, Turkey for 21.8%, and South Korea for 11.4%.

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

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

Imports maize to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Maize import volumes to CIS countries showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest level was recorded in 2017, while imports peaked in 2019, representing a 2.3-fold increase between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 293 thousand tons, indicating an abrupt 38.6% reduction compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 477 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 95.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize imports to CIS countries were widely dispersed across various partner nations. Ukraine, Hungary, and France together represented only 28.5% of total import volumes. Ukraine accounted for 22.0% of imports in kind, Hungary for 3.6%, and France for 2.9%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of maize to CIS countries amounted to 268.5 million US dollars, indicating a modest 1.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 5.9%, with an average annual decrease rate of 2.0%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2018 at 5.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 0.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for maize imports to CIS countries in value terms were Hungary, France, and Romania, which jointly accounted for 54.0% of total import flows. Hungary represented 24.0% of imports in value terms, France 15.7%, and Romania 14.3%.

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

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