Maize market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in Southern Europe declined from 40.4 million tonnes in 2018 to 37.9 million tonnes in 2020. Early in the period, global maize prices significantly influenced production costs and decisions. By 2020, a sharp drop in nitrogen fertilizer prices reduced input expenses, supporting domestic output despite the overall market contraction.

Water availability emerged as a key constraint from 2021 onward, limiting cultivation areas and contributing to lower production volumes. This, coupled with economic profitability challenges, pushed the market volume down to 36.8 million tonnes in 2021. The following year, a simultaneous decline in maize and fertilizer prices made imports more attractive, helping the market recover slightly to 37.9 million tonnes even as local production fell.

In 2023, new conditions under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), together with persistent water scarcity, led to significant production drops in major growing regions like Catalonia and Aragon. These regulatory and environmental pressures further reduced the market volume to 36.6 million tonnes, marking a continued downward trend.

Production maize in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Southern Europe has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 25 578 K t of maize, marking a moderate 5.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 33.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize output in Southern Europe reached 6 440 M $ US, up 11.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 677 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 13.7%. The most significant increase was in 2018, when value surged by 31.9%.

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

Exports maize from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 2 078 K t, while the highest was in 2020 at 4 523 K t, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.2 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of maize from Southern Europe totaled 4 523 K t, representing a robust 15.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 12.1%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 88.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of maize from Southern Europe were Romania (40.3% of exports in kind), Austria (7.0%), and Bulgaria (1.6%). Together, they accounted for 48.9% of total exports in kind, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Maize exports from Southern Europe have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 139 M $ US, up 22.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 81.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 596 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 4.9%. The most significant increase was in 2019, when exports rose by 56.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, maize from Southern Europe was traded with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Romania, Austria, and France—together represented only 43.7% of total exports in value terms, highlighting a broad market reach.

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

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

Imports maize to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, imported maize volumes in Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports totaled 16 838 K t, down 12.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 328 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of maize to Southern Europe were Ukraine (28.4% of imports in kind), Brazil (20.0%), and Romania (8.7%). Together, they made up 57.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Maize imports in Southern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value was recorded at 3 587 M $ US, showing a limited decrease of 9.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 4 108 M $ US, and the largest increase was that year with a jump of 23.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core markets for maize imports in value terms were Ukraine (26.2% of imports in value terms), Brazil (17.6%), and France (12.5%). Together, they accounted for 56.3% of total import flows.

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

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