Maize market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish maize market volume showed significant variability between 2018 and 2023, initially expanding to 14.0 million tonnes in 2019. This growth was supported by continuous technological improvements in seeds and the increased use of high-yield hybrids, which boosted productivity in irrigated systems. However, the market contracted to 12.2 million tonnes in 2020, influenced by a sharp drop in nitrogen fertilizer prices and lower maize prices, which affected farmer margins, alongside persistent water availability constraints.

A recovery followed in 2021 and 2022, with the market volume climbing to 14.7 million tonnes. This was driven by enhanced yield efficiency and the ongoing effect of lower input costs. Changes in the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its market intervention rules also played a role in shaping planting decisions. The trend reversed abruptly in 2023 when severe drought conditions and new CAP requirements led to a 19.5% reduction in planted area. Consequently, production fell by nearly 47%, causing the market volume to drop sharply to 11.8 million tonnes.

Production maize in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked 28th globally in maize production.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Spain's maize production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 214 K t of maize, marking a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's maize production value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 725 M $ US, representing a significant gain of 25.5% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 44.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 13.0%.

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

Exports maize from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Maize exports from Spain fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 146 K t, down by 3.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 32.4%, with a compound annual decline of 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Spain's maize exports in volume were Portugal (30.6% of exports), the United Kingdom (26.7% of exports), and Turkey (7.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 64.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Spain's maize export value rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 95 M $ US, showing a notable year-over-year increase of 20.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 12.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 79 M $ US, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 25.6% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key destinations for Spain's maize exports in value terms were France (24.9% of exports), Portugal (21.3% of exports), and the United Kingdom (8.7% of exports). Collectively, these countries represented 54.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Spain's maize imports declined. In 2020, imports registered 8 143 K t, representing a notable decrease of 18.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 014 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 27.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal sources for Spain's maize imports in volume were Ukraine (33.5% of imports), Brazil (30.3% of imports), and France (14.9% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 78.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's maize import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 653 M $ US, down by 15.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 11.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 968 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 32.8%.

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

In 2017-2020, the main sources for Spain's maize imports in value terms were Ukraine (31.3% of imports), Brazil (27.2% of imports), and France (19.0% of imports). These three countries together represented 77.5% of total import flows.

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

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