Maize market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, maize production in France increased from 12.6 million tonnes to 15.4 million tonnes, while the market volume expanded from 7.1 million tonnes to 11.6 million tonnes. This growth was underpinned by strong and steady domestic demand for maize in animal feed, where it accounts for 60-70% of the production cost for pork and poultry. At the same time, France solidified its role as the world's leading exporter of maize seeds, achieving a record trade surplus in this segment.

In 2022, production plummeted to 10.9 million tonnes and the market volume contracted to 6.4 million tonnes. This sharp decline was driven by a severe drought and heatwave that pushed average yields to their lowest level since 1990, compounded by the war in Ukraine which triggered a spike in global maize prices and disrupted markets. The following year, production rebounded to 12.8 million tonnes as improved summer rainfall boosted average yields, despite a continued long-term reduction in the total area planted to maize.

Structural shifts occurred alongside these volume movements, including the entry of China as a new extra-EU supplier of canned sweet corn in 2022. The area dedicated to sweet corn cultivation in France also grew to over 25,000 hectares in 2023, its highest level since 2008. After peaking in mid-2022, maize prices subsequently eased, reflecting a normalization of market conditions following the initial supply shock.

Production maize in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France held the 12th position globally in maize production.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

France's maize production rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 13 726 thousand tonnes of maize, a 6.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.6%, averaging an annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 12 580 thousand tonnes, which also saw the steepest drop of 13.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's maize production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, maize output was valued at 5 533 million US dollars in France, a strong 15.3% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 11.7%, with an average annual rate of 3.8%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 3 821 million US dollars, marking the largest decline of 22.9%. The biggest increase was in 2019, with a 25.6% jump.

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

Exports maize from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France's maize exports reached 4 554 thousand tonnes, up 24.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 6.8%, averaging 2.2% per year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 3 673 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 33.1%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 5 488 thousand tonnes, with the biggest increase of 28.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (30.3% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (20.2%), and Belgium (15.7%) were the main destinations for France's maize exports, together accounting for 66.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, maize exports from France totaled 1 836 million US dollars, a sharp 33.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 26.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 372 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (21.7% of exports in value terms), Germany (17.6%), and the Netherlands (13.1%) were the leading destinations for France's maize exports by value, together making up 52.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize to France

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import levels varied significantly, with a 21-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, France imported about 664 thousand tonnes of maize, a 5.8% decrease from 2019. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 36 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 95.2%. The biggest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 1 877.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (29.6% of imports in kind), Bulgaria (29.6%), and Romania (12.3%) were the key sources for France's maize imports, together representing 71.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's maize imports increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country imported approximately 336 million US dollars worth of maize, a 13.2% year-on-year uptick. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 8.2%, averaging 2.7% annually. The lowest value was in 2018 at 267 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's suppliers of maize were diverse: Germany (18.0% of imports in value terms), Bulgaria (11.9%), and Romania (9.6%) together contributed only 39.5% of total imports by value, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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