Maize market in Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Guinea's maize market was influenced by the launch of the AgriFARM project, a major initiative to strengthen family farms and improve market access in Upper and Middle Guinea. Despite these efforts, production experienced a dip in 2019 before recovering in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic boosted demand for local maize, even as it disrupted marketing channels and distribution.

Production growth continued in the following years. Government measures, including protocols with the Chamber of Commerce to guarantee supply and price stability for essential goods, supported the market. Rising global freight costs and export taxes in supplier countries further encouraged domestic production, with market volume reaching 821.8 thousand tons by 2022.

A sharp surge occurred in 2023, with maize production jumping to 982.0 thousand tons and total market volume to 989.3 thousand tons. This was driven by substantial state investments in agricultural machinery, including the delivery of tractors and tillers under the presidential Green Refoundation initiative aimed at food self-sufficiency, alongside ongoing development projects targeting maize and soybean production.

Production maize in Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, Guinea produced 792.5 thousand tonnes of maize, representing a 2.5% increase year-over-year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 773.5 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 818.5 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2019, when it fell by 5.5%.

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

Exports maize from Guinea

Exports in kind, t

Maize exports from Guinea have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 7 tonnes, marking a substantial 568.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the three-year span from 2018 to 2020, exports surged by an impressive 20,099.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 486.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export pattern for maize was heavily concentrated, with Angola dominating the market. Angola accounted for 85.8% of total export volumes, while other trading partners held relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited considerable volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 19-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, maize exports from Guinea generated 11 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic increase of 1,817.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year, with a drop of 65.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure was strongly focused on Angola, which represented 81.8% of total export flows. Other partners accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports maize to Guinea

Imports in kind, t

Maize imports into Guinea have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1,416 tonnes, showing a significant decrease of 17.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 43.4%, averaging an annual decline of 17.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,651 tonnes. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019, with a 52.8% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 46.0% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, three key markets—Argentina, Senegal, and Burkina Faso—collectively accounted for 95.0% of Guinea's total maize imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Maize imports into Guinea have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 689 thousand US dollars, which is 13.4% lower than in the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 78.2%, resulting in an average annual decline of 39.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Burkina Faso and Argentina were the primary partners for maize imports in value terms, together making up 88.9% of total import flows. Other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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