Maize market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Tanzania experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume reaching 7.9 million tonnes in 2023. Government interventions played a central role, particularly through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) stabilizing prices and securing farmer incomes. Key production drivers included the introduction of a fertiliser subsidy programme and the launch of new disease-resistant seed varieties, which helped boost yields.

Market volume dipped in 2019 due to challenges such as maize lethal necrosis disease and fall armyworm infestations, which reduced harvests. Recovery in 2020 was supported by state investments in mechanisation and market infrastructure. Export dynamics also shaped domestic availability; for instance, expanded trade ties with Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo lifted exports in 2021, temporarily reducing local market volume.

The strong rebound to 7.9 million tonnes in 2023 was driven by the full effect of fertiliser subsidies, alongside the emergence of new large-scale farming projects and increased participation of medium and large millers. Stricter rules on foreign grain traders and export permit requirements further regulated outflows, supporting domestic market growth.

Production maize in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania ranked 22nd globally in maize production.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Tanzania's maize production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 6 711 thousand tons of maize that year, marking a significant 18.7% increase compared to 2019. Production had reached its lowest point in 2019 at 5 652 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 9.9% during the period.

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

Exports maize from Tanzania

Exports in kind, K t

Maize exports from Tanzania showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 7.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign maize supplies from Tanzania totaled 97.0 thousand tons, down 31.1% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 181.7 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 648.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the dominant destination for Tanzania's maize exports in volume terms, accounting for 74.2% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Tanzania's maize exports was highly volatile during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 16-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, the value of maize leaving Tanzania stood at 24 301 thousand US dollars, which was 25.6% less than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 64 228 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1 539.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 49.1%.

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

In value terms, Tanzania's maize exports from 2017 to 2020 were strongly concentrated on Kenya, which accounted for 72.0% of total flows. Other trading partners made up the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports maize to Tanzania

Imports in kind, K t

Tanzania's maize imports in volume terms displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 5.2-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 53.6 thousand tons of maize, representing a steep 42.2% drop from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 22.4 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 80.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 313.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa were the main sources of Tanzania's maize imports in volume terms. Uganda accounted for 41.9% of imports, Zambia for 34.5%, and South Africa for 21.2%, together making up 97.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Tanzania imported 19 434 thousand US dollars worth of maize, showing a decline of 25.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 55.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 23.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 52.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 26.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia and South Africa concentrated most of Tanzania's maize imports in value terms, with other markets being less significant individually.

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

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