Market research

Maize market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, maize production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo increased from 2 186 thousand tons to 2 336 thousand tons, contributing to a rise in total market volume from 2 223 thousand tons to 2 412 thousand tons. Imports fluctuated during this period, reaching a high of 77 thousand tons in 2020 before settling at 76 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2024, the maize market was shaped by the depreciation of the Congolese franc against the US dollar, multiple taxes, and poor transport infrastructure, which drove up local prices. The government officially launched the 2024-2025 national agricultural campaign to boost domestic production and food security, while private projects expanded cultivation in Tshopo province. Mining company Tenke Fungurume Mining also supported local planters with inputs, aiming to strengthen domestic supply as imports fell to 37 thousand tons.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production maize in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Democratic Republic of the Congo produced 2 139 thousand tons of maize, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then increased by 2.2% in 2020, reaching 2 186 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 2.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.0%)	(2.2%)	2.2%	(0.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 1 ton, then surged dramatically in 2020 to 10 tons—a 916% increase from the previous year. The peak occurred in 2017, creating a 223-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(99.3%)	(31.0%)	916.0%	(64.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of maize exports in kind showed a strong dependence on Zambia, which accounted for 94.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The span from 2017 to 2020 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 511 times. In 2020, Democratic Republic of the Congo exported 1 thousand US dollars worth of maize, representing a significant decrease of 17.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(99.8%)	12.0%	(17.1%)	(87.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of maize exports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on Zambia, which absorbed 99.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

The volume of maize imports into Democratic Republic of the Congo increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 76 976 tons, which is 25.8% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 71.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 36 766 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 18.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 66.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(18.0%)	66.4%	25.8%	19.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, Argentina was the main supplier of maize to Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 86.6% of total imports in kind, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Democratic Republic of the Congo's maize import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports tallied 17 199 thousand US dollars, which is 18.2% more than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 23.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 263 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 41.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(26.5%)	41.8%	18.2%	7.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was the key supplier of maize to Democratic Republic of the Congo, taking 75.5% of total imports in value terms, while a diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io