Maize market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the volume of Russia's maize market expanded consistently from 6.7 million tonnes to 13.3 million tonnes. This growth was supported by increased domestic production, driven by the expansion of sown areas and higher yields. The trend towards import substitution in seeds, alongside the entry of new players including state-owned companies, strengthened the domestic supply base. During this period, rising consumption of maize for animal feed, particularly in the poultry and pig farming sectors, provided a steady boost to domestic demand. Even the introduction of export quotas for grains in April 2022 did not reverse the market's upward trajectory, as internal consumption continued to grow.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 11.0 million tonnes. This decline was primarily due to a 6.4% reduction in sown areas for grain maize, which limited domestic supply despite a concurrent 15.6% increase in yield. A significant 41.2% surge in export shipments further diverted production away from the domestic market, contributing to the lower available volume.

Production maize in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia ranked 13th globally in maize production.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, Russia produced 13 879 thousand tonnes of maize, marking a 2.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 11 419 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 14 282 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop was 13.5% in 2018, and the largest increase was 25.1% in 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize output in Russia was 2 396 million US dollars, down 15.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 11.4%, averaging 3.7% growth per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 036 million US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 2 828 million US dollars. The most substantial increase was 38.9% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's maize exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 289 thousand tonnes, a 26.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 55.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 23.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Russia's maize exports in volume were Iran, accounting for 25.6% of exports, Turkey with 24.5%, and South Korea at 13.1%. Together, these three countries made up 63.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's maize export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 395.2 million US dollars, down 36.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 53.3%, with an average annual decline of 22.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 853.1 million US dollars, and the largest increase was a modest 0.9% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran, Turkey, and South Korea were the leading markets for Russia's maize exports in value terms. Iran accounted for 29.7% of export value, Turkey for 22.7%, and South Korea for 13.2%, collectively representing 65.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Russia's maize imports rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 51 thousand tonnes, a sharp increase of 54.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.5%, averaging a 0.8% annual decline. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 33 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop of 24.9% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary, France, and Ukraine were the primary sources for Russia's maize imports in volume. Hungary contributed 29.4% of imports, France 22.0%, and Ukraine 15.1%, together accounting for 66.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, Russia's maize import value increased in 2020. Imports totaled 132.7 million US dollars, up 22.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 28.8%, with an average annual decline of 10.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 108.5 million US dollars, and the largest decrease was 31.2% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, France, and Romania were the key partners for Russia's maize imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 39.1% of import value, France for 23.5%, and Romania for 19.9%, collectively making up 82.5% of total flows.

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

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