Maize market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in Middle Africa remained stable around 8 000 thousand tons between 2018 and 2020. During this period, the Cameroonian government, supported by the African Development Bank, implemented a three-year emergency plan to support agriculture, which included a 30% subsidy on fertilizer prices and the provision of high-quality seeds. This initiative laid the foundation for improved yields and production resilience.

From 2021, the market volume began a sustained growth, reaching 8 544 thousand tons by 2023. A key driver was the delivery of 17 936 tons of fertilizers from Russia in 2022 to alleviate shortages linked to the war in Ukraine and global inflation. Concurrently, the TAAT program intensified the diffusion of climate-adapted, high-yield hybrid maize seeds, boosting farm-level productivity. Furthermore, the mandatory implementation of 29 agro-food standards in 2022, including norms for whole maize flour, helped improve product quality and market structure.

Production maize in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, Middle Africa produced 7,916 thousand tonnes of maize, representing a 2.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7,947 thousand tonnes. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 2.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.1% rise.

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

Exports maize from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their minimum in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 14.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 0.1 thousand tonnes of maize, marking a sharp decrease of 71.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 93.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 611.2% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of maize from Middle Africa were Nigeria, accounting for 25.9% of exports in kind; Zambia, with 19.9%; and Namibia, at 18.3%. Together, these three countries represented 64.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2018 at 37 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2019, with an 18-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exported maize volumes from Middle Africa totalled 116 thousand US dollars, which is 82.7% lower compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 670 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 94.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 1,693.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for exports in value terms were Namibia, accounting for 45.7% of exports; Zambia, with 27.7%; and Nigeria, at 17.3%. Together, these three countries represented 90.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their minimum in 2018 at 73.8 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2019, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa's maize import volume reached 121.5 thousand tonnes, representing a 10.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 136.4 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 34.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with an 84.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of maize to Middle Africa were largely concentrated on Argentina, which accounted for 77.1% of total flows; other countries together formed the residual share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year gain, imported maize volumes in Middle Africa declined. In 2020, imports came to 43,282 thousand US dollars, indicating a decline of 4.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 28.1%, equating to an 8.6% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 45,407 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 30.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the biggest contributors to imports in value terms were Argentina, accounting for 63.8% of imports; South Africa, with 8.7%; and Brazil, at 6.5%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for 79.0% of total import flows.

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

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