Maize market in Melanesia

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Melanesia contracted significantly from 2018 to 2023, beginning the period at 28 599 tons. After a drop in 2019, a temporary recovery lifted the market to 26 252 tons in 2020, but volumes fell again in the following two years.

Domestic production mirrored this trend, declining from 24 916 tons in 2018 to 19 503 tons in 2023. The overall supply reduction led the market to stabilize at just under 20 000 tons by the end of the period.

Production maize in Melanesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, Melanesia produced 25 591 tonnes of maize, showing a modest increase of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 2.2%.

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

Exports maize from Melanesia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign maize supplies from Melanesia amounted to 11 tonnes, representing a 423.5% increase compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 22 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 90.5%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, at 2 086.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for exports in kind were Samoa (35.2% of exports), Kiribati (12.6% of exports), and New Zealand (3.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 51.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest export value was observed in 2018, while the highest was in 2019, reflecting a 4-fold gap. In 2020, Melanesia exported maize worth 22 thousand US dollars, down by 20.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 28 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 45.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, at 302.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the core of exports in value terms consisted of Malaysia (32.7% of exports), Samoa (11.1% of exports), and Kiribati (6.5% of exports). Together, these three markets accounted for 50.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Melanesia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with an 8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, maize deliveries to Melanesia reached 672 tonnes, which is 44.6% higher year-on-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 465 tonnes, and the maximum in 2018 at 3 706 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 87.5%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, at 108.5%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the main markets for imports in kind were New Zealand (34.2% of imports), Australia (33.7% of imports), and France (15.1% of imports). Together, these three countries represented 83.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of maize imports to Melanesia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 598 thousand US dollars, marking a drop of 31.8% compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 59.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 764 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 50.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for imports in value terms were Australia (54.7% of imports), New Zealand (17.5% of imports), and France (8.3% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 80.5% of total import flows.

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

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