Maize market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in North Macedonia experienced significant volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023. After a peak of 224.8 thousand tons in 2018, the market contracted sharply to 161.1 thousand tons in 2019. A partial recovery followed in 2020, lifting volume to 192.9 thousand tons, but a subsequent downward trend brought the market size down to 157.5 thousand tons by 2023. Domestic production mirrored this instability, falling from 190.7 thousand tons in 2018 to a lower base that fluctuated between 133 and 149 thousand tons in the following years.

In the latter part of the period, structural changes in the national energy sector introduced factors relevant to agricultural production costs. The launch of a day-ahead electricity market in 2023, coupled with increased natural gas interconnection capacity, aimed to enhance energy supply stability and price competitiveness. These developments continued into 2024 with further market integration and reports of lower gas prices, creating a context of potentially reduced and more predictable energy expenses for maize cultivation and processing.

Production maize in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, North Macedonia produced 149.7 thousand tons of maize, representing a 1.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 190.7 thousand tons, which saw a significant increase of 55.0% that year. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 22.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of maize output in North Macedonia reached 29 014 thousand US dollars, up 15.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 4.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 31 915 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 25 199 thousand US dollars, which saw a decline of 21.0% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports maize from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

Maize export volumes from North Macedonia showed notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest exports were recorded in 2017, while the highest were in 2019 at 28 133 tons, creating a 9.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports dropped to 17 620 tons, a decrease of 37.4% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 506.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was the dominant partner for maize exports from North Macedonia in volume terms, accounting for 80.7% of total flows, with other markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Maize export values exhibited an unstable trend over the timeframe. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak was reached in 2019 at 4 788 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 7.3-fold gap. In 2020, export values fell to 3 415 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decrease of 28.7% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 348.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, the structure of maize exports in value terms was dominated by Greece, which absorbed 76.3% of total flows, with numerous smaller partners accounting for the rest.

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

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

Imports maize to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, North Macedonia's maize imports increased. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 41 171 tons, with a decline of 20.3% that year. By 2020, imports rose to 60 802 tons, reflecting a 47.7% increase compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia was the primary source for maize imports to North Macedonia in volume terms, concentrating 86.2% of total imports, while the remaining flows were distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, North Macedonia's maize import values increased. In 2019, imports reached their minimum at 9 158 thousand US dollars, with a decline of 27.7% that year. By 2020, import values climbed to 13 659 thousand US dollars, up 49.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Serbia played the leading role in maize imports to North Macedonia in value terms, holding a 77.1% share of total flows, with other markets collectively accounting for the remainder.

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

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