Maize market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Lebanon underwent a severe contraction starting in 2019, when its volume dropped precipitously from 3 129 thousand tonnes to 549 thousand tonnes. This marked a fundamental reduction in the market's scale compared to the previous year.

From 2020 onward, the market continued to shrink steadily, with volume decreasing to 545 thousand tonnes, then to 429 thousand tonnes in 2021, 424 thousand tonnes in 2022, and 370 thousand tonnes by 2023. Domestic production remained constant at a minimal level of 3 thousand tonnes annually throughout this period.

Production maize in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Lebanon's maize production in 2020 remained broadly stable at 3 000 tonnes compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 38.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 14.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 000 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 38.3%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports maize from Lebanon

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic 51-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Lebanon exported 15 000 tonnes of maize, representing a substantial increase of 373.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 300 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 79.5%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 970.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Free Zones clearly dominated Lebanon's maize exports in kind, accounting for 74.6% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares during this timeframe.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Exports fell to their lowest point in 2018 before reaching their peak in 2020, with a 42-fold change between these years. In 2020, maize exports from Lebanon were recorded at 3.6 million US dollars, reflecting a steep increase of 348.7% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 62.8%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 832.9%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, the geographical pattern of exports in value terms was characterized by a strong dominance of Free Zones, whose share reached 72.6% of total flows. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports maize to Lebanon

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's imported maize volumes reached 557 000 tonnes, representing a modest increase of 1.5% over the past year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 127 000 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 82.4%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 492.6%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Brazil (with 19.7% of imports in kind), Romania (18.0%), and Ukraine (16.0%) were the principal sources for Lebanon's maize imports in kind. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Lebanon's maize imports stood at 117.8 million US dollars, reflecting an increase of 8.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 108.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 7.5%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Brazil (with 22.5% of imports in value terms), Romania (18.4%), and Argentina (14.4%) were the principal sources for Lebanon's maize imports in value terms. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.2% of total import flows.

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

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