Maize market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the maize market volume in Italy grew from 11 914 K t to 12 845 K t, reaching a peak. However, in 2021 it dropped to 11 321 K t before partially recovering to 11 835 K t in 2022 and stabilizing at 11 788 K t in 2023.

This trajectory was tied to fluctuations in domestic production and imports. Italian maize production fell from 6 793 K t in 2020 to 4 697 K t in 2022, partly due to the energy crisis and global geopolitical tensions that raised production costs and disrupted supply chains. In response, imports surged to 7 184 K t in 2022, highlighting Italy's reliance on foreign supplies.

The market is also shaped by shifting consumer preferences toward natural and sustainable products, as well as new EU rules such as stricter limits for mycotoxins, which affect quality and compliance standards.

Production maize in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy ranked 21st globally in maize production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Italy grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 6,793 thousand tonnes of maize, an increase of 8.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

Exports maize from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, maize exports from Italy increased. In 2020, Italy exported 41 thousand tonnes of maize, which is 19.5% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 42.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 35 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 43.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's maize exports in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Austria accounted for 21.1% of exports, Belgium for 14.6%, and Morocco for 10.7%, with these three countries together representing only 46.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's maize exports in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 55 million US dollars, a moderate increase of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 39 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 32.4% also occurring that year. The largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 31.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's maize export portfolio in value terms was quite diverse. Austria represented 17.0% of exports, France 11.1%, and Greece 7.3%, with these three countries together accounting for only 35.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, maize imports to Italy declined. In 2020, imports registered 6,094 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 5.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 6,428 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 11.7% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Ukraine, and Romania formed the core of Italy's maize imports in kind. Hungary accounted for 25.0% of imports, Ukraine for 23.9%, and Romania for 9.6%, with these three countries together representing 58.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's maize imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1,214 million US dollars, which is 3.7% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,261 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 9.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, Ukraine, and Romania were the principal sources for Italy's maize imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 23.1% of imports, Ukraine for 22.6%, and Romania for 9.2%, with these three countries together representing 54.9% of total import flows.

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

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