Maize market in Papua New Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

Maize market volume in Papua New Guinea increased from 13 thousand tons in 2018 to 13.5 thousand tons in 2019, supported by a broader economic surplus driven by the commercialization of the Liquefied Natural Gas project and strong mining export revenues, which likely fostered agricultural investment. A 1.6% contraction in the national economy in 2020 contributed to a market decline to 13.2 thousand tons, with further slight reduction through 2021. The market stabilized around 13 thousand tons in 2022-2023, coinciding with a return to 3% economic growth and rising agricultural output in 2023.

In 2024, the government launched the National Agricultural Sector Plan 2024-2033, prioritizing sustainable development, food security, and higher farmer incomes, which directly targets crop production including maize. The policy emphasis on reducing reliance on imported rice may shift demand toward local alternatives like maize. Concurrently, the promotion of special economic zones aims to attract foreign investment into agriculture, potentially enabling new entrants and infrastructure development for the maize sector.

Production maize in Papua New Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Papua New Guinea produced 12 871 tonnes of maize in 2020, marking a slight decline of 2.4% from the previous year. Production reached its peak in 2019 at 13 182 tonnes, while the lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 12 607 tonnes. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with production rising by 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports maize from Papua New Guinea

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Papua New Guinea's maize exports dropped to zero tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 98.3% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant destination for Papua New Guinea's maize exports in volume terms, accounting for 98.4% of total shipments.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of maize exports from Papua New Guinea fell to 0.1 thousand US dollars in 2020, a decrease of 68.8% from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Australia together accounted for all of Papua New Guinea's maize export value, with a combined share of 100.0%.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize to Papua New Guinea

Imports in kind, t

Papua New Guinea's maize imports increased in 2020 after two years of decline, reaching 316.1 tonnes, which was 13.1% higher than in 2019. The lowest import volume during the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2019 at 279.5 tonnes. Overall, imports fell by 49% from 2017 to 2020, equivalent to an average annual decline of 20.1%. The steepest drop occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 42.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the primary source of maize imports to Papua New Guinea in volume terms, supplying 82.3% of the total, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Papua New Guinea's maize import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, standing at 192.9 thousand US dollars, a 50.6% decrease from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 921.1 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 71.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -34.1%. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 57.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 37.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia dominated Papua New Guinea's maize import value, capturing 89.6% of total flows, with a variety of other markets making up the rest.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020