Market research

Maize market in Ethiopia

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Ethiopia's maize market volume showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. It expanded from 10 875 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 11 634 thousand tonnes in 2019, before contracting to 11 043 thousand tonnes in 2020.

The market recovered to 11 742 thousand tonnes in 2021. Growth slowed markedly in 2022, with volume reaching 11 860 thousand tonnes, a mere 1% increase. This deceleration occurred against a backdrop of sustained high maize prices across East Africa, driven by below-average harvests and elevated production and marketing costs within the region. High inflation and local currency depreciation further pressured prices, constraining market expansion. By 2023, the market volume had declined by 2.9% to 11 517 thousand tonnes.

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 Ethiopia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia 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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ethiopia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ethiopia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ethiopia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ethiopia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ethiopia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K 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 Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the 15th largest producer of maize globally.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Following two consecutive years of growth, Ethiopia's maize production volume experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 10 946 thousand tonnes of maize, representing a 5.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 11 555 thousand tonnes, which also marked the largest annual increase of 6.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.6%	6.4%	(5.3%)	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, K t

The market demonstrated considerable volatility throughout the analyzed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018, while peaking in 2017, with the peak value being 93 524 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Ethiopia exported 10.0 thousand tonnes of maize, reflecting a complete cessation of exports compared to the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(100.0%)	n/a	n/a	(20.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, Kenya and South Sudan constituted the entirety of Ethiopia's maize export destinations, together accounting for 100% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed significant instability during this timeframe. Export values fluctuated dramatically, with the 2017 peak being 28 383 times higher than the 2018 low. In 2020, Ethiopia's maize export value stood at 3 198 thousand US dollars, indicating a complete absence of export activity compared to the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(100.0%)	n/a	n/a	(21.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya and South Sudan remained the exclusive markets for Ethiopia's maize exports in value terms, together representing 100% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals substantial market volatility with irregular fluctuations. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 11.1 thousand tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 106.9 thousand tonnes - representing a 9.6-fold increase between these extremes. The 2020 import volume showed a 36.7% increase compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 70.9% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 603.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(70.9%)	603.5%	36.7%	40.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and Argentina dominated Ethiopia's maize imports, together accounting for 83.4% of total import volumes, with the remaining share distributed among various other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited notable fluctuations throughout the period. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 at 13 704 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2019 at 47 770 thousand US dollars - representing a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia's maize import value amounted to 30 983 thousand US dollars, showing a 35.1% decline compared to the previous year. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2018 with a 38.4% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 248.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(38.4%)	248.6%	(35.1%)	11.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, South Africa and Argentina served as the primary markets for Ethiopia's maize imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.1% of total import flows, while other destinations maintained comparatively smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io