Maize market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the introduction of super-hardy maize varieties capable of growing in northern regions supported a gradual expansion of domestic production, which rose from 489 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 988 thousand tons in 2021. This contributed to a sharp increase in market volume to 681 thousand tons in 2019, followed by relative stability around 660-670 thousand tons in 2020 and 2021. A steep decline to 368 thousand tons occurred in 2022, driven by lower production and high export volumes. The market recovered to 495 thousand tons in 2023, even as the harvested area for cereals including maize fell by 5% and the overall grain harvest decreased by 2.7%, tightening domestic supply.

In 2024, a significant harvest increase was reported due to expanded planting area. During this period, geopolitical factors, particularly conflict in the Middle East, affected the maize market through disrupted fertilizer supplies and increased demand for biofuels, which raised consumption. Policy shifts in the energy and biofuel sectors have continued to shape demand dynamics for maize.

Production maize in Czechia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Czechia's maize production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 825.5 K t of maize, representing a 33.1% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 40.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 489.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 16.8%.

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

Exports maize from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their peak in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, marking a two-fold shift. In 2020, maize shipments from Czechia to abroad reached 334.1 K t, up by 72.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 194.1 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 47.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Austria were the dominant destinations for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 87.9% of total flows, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, foreign maize supplies from Czechia increased. In 2020, the export volume stood at 58 168 K $ US, reflecting a 66.3% advance from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 34 979 K $ US, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 30.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was strongly concentrated on Germany and Austria, which together took 82.6% of total flows, with other partners forming a residual share.

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

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

Imports maize to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, maize shipments to Czechia from abroad declined. In 2020, imports came to 180.1 K t, showing an abrupt decrease of 29.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 254.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 61.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia (43.9% of imports in kind), Hungary (21.2% of imports in kind), and Poland (17.8% of imports in kind) led the structure of imports in kind, together representing 82.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, the volume of maize imports to Czechia declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 66 143 K $ US, corresponding to a decrease of 12.5% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 75 561 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 16.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Slovakia, France, and Hungary—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 73.6% of total flows.

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

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