Market research

Maize market in Nigeria

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Nigeria expanded from 10.9 million tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 13.0 million tonnes in 2022, reflecting steady growth over four years. This increase was primarily driven by rising domestic production, which mirrored the market volume closely due to minimal import and export activity.

After reaching its highest point, the market contracted sharply in 2023, falling to 11.1 million tonnes—a decline of nearly 15% from the previous year. Production showed a similar drop, indicating that domestic supply factors were the main determinant of the market's size throughout the period.

Imports and exports remained negligible, never exceeding 15 000 tonnes in any given year, which underscores the self-sufficient nature of Nigeria's maize market from 2018 to 2023.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Nigeria
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production maize in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Nigeria ranked as the 14th largest producer of maize from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Following two years of growth, maize production in Nigeria experienced a decline. In 2020, production stood at 12 403 K t, down 1.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 16.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 12 599 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 15.2% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.8%	15.2%	(1.6%)	5.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize from Nigeria

Exports in kind, K t

In 2018, Nigeria exported 0.1 K t of maize, representing a substantial increase of 1 379.6% compared to 2017.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 379.6%	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana dominated the geographical structure of Nigeria's maize exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Maize exports from Nigeria reached 0.1 M US dollars in 2018, marking a year-on-year increase of 104.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	104.3%	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Ghana effectively monopolized the value of maize exports from Nigeria, capturing 100.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize to Nigeria

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 46-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign maize supplies to Nigeria totaled 9.3 K t, a decrease of 37.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8.5 K t, with the largest decline of 97.8% occurring that year. The largest increase was observed in 2019, at 75.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(97.8%)	75.3%	(37.8%)	(71.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Argentina led the list of markets for maize imports in kind, together accounting for 86.7% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with an 11.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nigeria imported 91.1 M US dollars worth of maize, a 529.7% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 14.5 M US dollars, with the largest decline of 82.3% occurring in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(82.3%)	(51.0%)	529.7%	(18.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Argentina, the United States, and Ukraine—together accounted for 85.3% of the total value of maize imports to Nigeria.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io