Maize market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

Maize production in Madagascar showed consistent growth from 215 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 268 thousand tonnes in 2023, with the market volume expanding from 218 thousand tonnes to 269 thousand tonnes over the same period. This upward trend was initiated in 2018 when the regional agriculture authority and private company Agri-pro distributed two tonnes of high-yield maize seeds in the Vakinankaratra region, aiming to establish maize as a priority regional crop and boost yields.

Production continued to rise, reaching 267 thousand tonnes in 2022. The growth was further supported in 2023 by the introduction and promotion of Mukushy hybrid maize seeds through a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Zimbabwe-based Mukushi Seed Co., which aimed to enhance local processing. However, significant price speculation on local maize emerged in 2023, negatively impacting the poultry sector and leading to a reduction in herds, which tempered consumption growth despite increased production.

Imports fluctuated during the period, peaking in 2022 at 4.1 thousand tonnes as local price increases affected supply chains. By 2024, supply shortages exacerbated by speculation pushed poultry industrialists to import maize, reflecting ongoing challenges in balancing local production with industrial demand.

Production maize in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Madagascar increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Madagascar produced 224.9 thousand tons of maize, marking a modest 2.6% increase from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 20.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 215.0 thousand tons, with the largest year-over-year drop of 23.6% also occurring that year.

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

Exports maize from Madagascar

Exports in kind, t

Madagascar's maize exports showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 96 tons, then rebounded in 2019 with a substantial 58.3% increase. By 2020, exports stood at 147 tons, reflecting a slight 3.5% decrease from the previous year. The peak occurred in 2017, with exports that year being 6.8 times higher than the 2018 low. The most dramatic decline was recorded in 2018, when exports plummeted by 85.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France consistently served as the primary destination for Madagascar's maize exports, accounting for 93.9% of total export volume throughout this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Madagascar's maize exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 41 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.1% improvement from 2019. Despite this recent growth, exports declined by 53.1% overall between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decrease of 22.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 29 thousand US dollars, when exports fell by 67.6%. The following year saw a significant recovery with a 34.0% increase.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, France maintained its dominant position in Madagascar's maize export market by value, consistently representing 92.2% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports maize to Madagascar

Imports in kind, t

Madagascar's maize imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled {value_last_year} tons, showing a 10.1% reduction from the previous year. Over the broader 2017-2020 period, imports decreased substantially by 86.8%, which corresponds to an annualized decline rate of 49.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine (40.2% of import volume), South Africa (37.3%), and France (13.2%) remained Madagascar's key maize import partners. Together, these three countries accounted for 90.7% of all maize imports by volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Madagascar's maize imports by value increased in 2020. Imports reached 809 thousand US dollars that year, representing a modest 2.6% increase from 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 77.3%, averaging an annual decline of 39.0%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 788 thousand US dollars, when imports fell by 60.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa (37.0% of import value), France (29.5%), and Ukraine (20.4%) were the leading sources of maize imports to Madagascar by value. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 86.9% of total import spending.

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

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