Maize market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the maize market in Côte d'Ivoire expanded gradually from 1 067 thousand tons to 1 106 thousand tons. This growth was partly due to a significant drop in maize exports between 2017 and 2019, which kept more production within the country. Market volume stabilized in 2020 with minimal change, reflecting steady local prices and consistent demand.

In 2021, the market surged to 1 215 thousand tons, largely because imports jumped to 105 thousand tons even as import prices had risen 77.78% since 2018. The following year, market volume dipped to 1 184 thousand tons as improved supply from the 2021/2022 harvest was offset by increased exports and lower imports, influenced by regional trade flows with neighboring countries.

The market rebounded strongly to 1 318 thousand tons in 2023, supported by the launch of the Agricultural Commodities Exchange (BMPA CI), which began trading maize to structure the market and attract investment. Government measures to cap food prices also played a role. In 2024, the start of the new agricultural campaign indicated continued production and marketing dynamism, with pest management and regional exchanges shaping market conditions.

Production maize in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Côte d'Ivoire's maize production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 176 thousand tons of maize, marking a 6.6% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire exported 74 096 tons of maize, reflecting a sharp year-over-year rise of 426.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 076 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 67.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal—together absorbed 96.1% of Côte d'Ivoire's total maize exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit their maximum in 2017 and fell to the lowest point in 2019, with a variation of 14.3 times between these years. In 2020, maize shipments from Côte d'Ivoire abroad stood at 4 845 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 416.1% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 939 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, decreasing by 90.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Niger and Burkina Faso concentrated 88.0% of total maize exports in value terms, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2018, differing by 7.4-fold. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's maize import volume amounted to 4 778 tons, reflecting a sharp decline of 66.6% compared with 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 35 420 tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 535.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina remained the main source for maize imports to Côte d'Ivoire, taking 71.1% of total imports in kind, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports varied from a low in 2017 to a high in 2018, with a 2.4-fold difference. In 2020, maize deliveries to Côte d'Ivoire stood at 3 859 thousand US dollars, down by 17.3% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 9 135 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 48.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 140.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Argentina were the dominant suppliers of maize to Côte d'Ivoire, together taking 89.1% of total imports in value terms, with other partners forming a less significant background.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020