Maize market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

Maize production in Nepal demonstrated steady growth from 2 597 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 106 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was underpinned by the National Maize Research Program's efforts to promote higher-yielding, open-pollinated varieties and a sustained shift in demand from food consumption to feed for the expanding livestock and poultry sectors. However, production faced persistent constraints from climate change impacts, including reduced monsoon rainfall, and biotic stresses such as pests and diseases.

By 2022, production reached its peak, supported by factors like increased capital expenditure and banking expansion, which were identified as influences on maize yields. The market also showed interlinkages with the dairy sector, which was prioritized alongside maize for trade and value chain promotion. Overall market volume saw a slight decrease to 3 526 thousand tons that year, influenced by a reduction in imports.

In 2023, production declined to 2 976 thousand tons and total market volume fell to 3 354 thousand tons. During this period, policy workshops focused on seed technology research and innovation, while exploration of smart precision agriculture services, such as laser-land leveling, aimed to improve long-term resource use efficiency among maize farmers.

Production maize in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Nepal's maize production has grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 2,836 thousand tons of maize, marking a measured increase of 6.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 23.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.2%.

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

Exports maize from Nepal

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 43-fold difference between these years. In 2019, Nepal exported 0.0 thousand tons of maize, representing a steep decline of 91.7% from 2018. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year reaching 4,152.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the leading buyer of maize from Nepal, accounting for 89.2% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was distributed across many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 21-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2019, Nepal exported 0.0 million US dollars worth of maize, reflecting an abrupt drop of 89.8% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 2,036.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India continued to be the main destination for Nepal's maize exports in value terms, taking 84.9% of total flows. The rest was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports maize to Nepal

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, foreign maize supplies to Nepal increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 568.3 thousand tons, corresponding to a rise of 41.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 401.3 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 92.4% of total maize imports to Nepal in volume terms came from India, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Maize imports to Nepal have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 135.8 million US dollars, representing a limited rise of 9.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on India, which absorbed 90.5% of total flows.

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

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