Maize market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Northern Europe expanded from 5.1 million tons in 2018 to 5.4 million tons in 2019, supported by favorable growing conditions that boosted domestic production and rising consumer demand for nutritionally enhanced maize products. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread supply chain disruptions, sharply reducing the market volume to 4.3 million tons.

Market volume fell further to 3.7 million tons in 2021 following the implementation of strict European Union regulations on permissible mycotoxin levels in maize, which raised quality standards and constrained imports. A rebound to 4.5 million tons occurred in 2022, driven by increased industrial investment in maize for biofuels and other industrial uses, which stimulated demand. However, the market contracted again to 3.8 million tons in 2023 as persistent environmental policies limited the expansion of conventional crop area and adjustments to market access rules affected imported supplies.

In 2024, the European Regulation 2023/915 on mycotoxin limits for unprocessed maize came into force, increasing compliance costs for exporters, while demand for maize in animal feed and industrial applications remained strong.

Production maize in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Northern Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 192.9 K t, representing a 28.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 101.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.3%.

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

Exports maize from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 222 K t, then peaked in 2020 at 522 K t, marking a steep rise of 135.4% compared to the previous year. The gap between these years was 2.4-fold. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal consistently held leading positions in the country structure of exports in kind. Germany accounted for 16.5% of exports, the Netherlands for 6.4%, and Portugal for 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 23.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Maize shipments from Northern Europe to abroad have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 127 M $ US, marking a 5.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 60%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey were among the largest buyers of maize from Northern Europe in value terms. Germany accounted for 13.5% of exports, the Netherlands for 8.0%, and Turkey for 1.0%. However, even combined, they represented just 22.6% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports maize to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, maize deliveries to Northern Europe declined. Imports reached their maximum in 2019 at 5 448 K t, then decreased to 4 667 K t in 2020, equivalent to a robust year-over-year decline of 14.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 30.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 47.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Canada, and France were the main markets for imports in kind. Ukraine accounted for 27.9% of imports, Canada for 14.7%, and France for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 52.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, maize imports to Northern Europe declined. Imports peaked in 2019 at 1 200 M $ US, then decreased to 1 096 M $ US in 2020, showing a limited decrease of 8.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 34%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 46.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, France, and Canada stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 24.5% of imports, France for 14.2%, and Canada for 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented 51.7% of total import flows.

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

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