Maize market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, European maize production increased from 128.4 million tonnes to 132.8 million tonnes in 2019, supported by the expansion of cultivated area and productivity gains noted in global trends. However, market volume declined from 119.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 102.3 million tonnes in 2020 as exports rose from 41.2 million tonnes to 49.7 million tonnes.

After a sharp rise to 127.8 million tonnes in 2021, market volume dropped to 93.2 million tonnes in 2022 before partially recovering to 112.2 million tonnes in 2023. These significant fluctuations reflect variability in production and trade flows on the European maize market.

By 2024, adverse weather conditions reduced maize yields by more than 10% in some European regions, although cultivated area expanded by approximately 500 000 hectares. In July 2024, EU Regulation 2023/915 came into force, setting stricter limits for mycotoxins in unprocessed maize, increasing compliance costs for exporters. Simultaneously, imports of Ukrainian maize into the EU reached 7.44 million tonnes, or 68% of total imports, notably affecting market dynamics.

Production maize in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Europe declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 132.8 million tonnes, but then fell by 7.1% to 123.4 million tonnes in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Europe's maize production value declined after two years of consecutive increases. In 2019, it reached its highest point at 32 939 million US dollars, but then decreased by 6.5% to 30 795 million US dollars in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The most significant year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, at 36.4%.

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

Exports maize from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Maize exports from Europe increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 41 220 thousand tonnes, declining by 6.2% that year. However, they rebounded strongly in 2019, surging by 18.5%. By 2020, exports reached 49 685 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.7% increase compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe's maize exports in volume terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—China with 8.3% of exports, Egypt with 6.2%, and Turkey with 6.2%—collectively accounted for just 20.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's maize export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 12 398 million US dollars, showing a modest rise of 2.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 38.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's maize exports in value terms were not highly concentrated. The leading markets—China with 6.9% of export value, Turkey with 5.2%, and Egypt with 5.0%—together captured only 17.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's maize import volume increased by 23.8% from 2017 to 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.4%. In 2018, imports peaked at 31 942 thousand tonnes, rising by 38.4% that year. However, they dropped by 11.5% in 2019. By 2020, imports recovered slightly to 28 581 thousand tonnes, representing a 1.1% increase over 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Canada, and the United States were the main suppliers of maize to Europe in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 12.3% of imports, Canada for 3.0%, and the United States for 1.8%. Together, these three countries made up 17.1% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Europe's maize import value declined. In 2019, it reached its highest level at 9 639 million US dollars, but then fell by 4.6% to 9 194 million US dollars in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 16.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 20.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Canada, and the United States remained the primary sources for Europe's maize imports in value terms. Brazil contributed 9.4% of import value, Canada 2.4%, and the United States 1.7%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 13.5% of total import flows.

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

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