Maize market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in Pakistan showed consistent growth from 6.8 million tons in 2018 to 10.2 million tons in 2022, supported by a near-doubling of domestic production over the same period. This expansion was interrupted only by a minor slowdown in 2021.

A sharp contraction to 8.3 million tons occurred in 2023. This downturn aligned with a notable rise in export volumes, which exceeded 1.5 million tons, and a concurrent decrease in production.

The overall trajectory from 2018 to 2023 illustrates a market that first expanded significantly before undergoing a substantial correction, with trade flows playing a visible role in domestic availability.

Production maize in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan ranked 18th globally in maize production volume.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Pakistan's maize production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 8 940 K t of maize, marking a 13.4% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 51.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 14.8%.

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

Exports maize from Pakistan

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports varied widely, with a low of 7.6 K t in 2018 and a high of 134.7 K t in 2019, representing an 18-fold difference. In 2020, Pakistan's maize export volume was 64.7 K t, a sharp decline of 52.0% compared to 2019. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, falling by 73.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 1 680.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Pakistan's maize exports in kind were Sri Lanka (46.6% of exports), Vietnam (17.2%), and Afghanistan (12.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 76.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports in value terms reached a low of 1 020 K $ US in 2018 and a peak of 29 495 K $ US in 2019, showing a 29-fold difference. In 2020, maize shipments from Pakistan abroad totaled 12 634 K $ US, a steep fall of 57.2% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, dropping by 83.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 2 790.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the core markets for Pakistan's maize exports in value terms were Sri Lanka (50.8% of exports), Vietnam (15.9%), and Malaysia (10.8%). Collectively, these three countries represented 77.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Pakistan

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Pakistan's maize import volume increased. In 2020, the country imported approximately 25.2 K t of maize, a strong rise of 24.9% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 20.2 K t, with the largest decline that year of 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of maize to Pakistan in kind were the United States (43.4% of imports), Thailand (28.1%), and India (11.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 83.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Pakistan imported 56 662 K $ US of maize, showing a moderate uptick of 9.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017–2020, imports increased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 51 982 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 81 135 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 35.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 46.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the biggest contributors to Pakistan's maize imports in value terms were the United States (46.8% of imports), Thailand (30.8%), and India (12.2%). Jointly, these three countries accounted for 89.8% of total import flows.

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

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