Maize market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, maize production in the Philippines increased from 7.8 million tonnes to 8.3 million tonnes, despite persistent challenges such as high fertilizer costs and limited access to modern farming techniques that constrained growth. The market size fluctuated between 8.4 million tonnes and 9.0 million tonnes, influenced by varying import volumes which dropped sharply in 2019 and 2021, partly due to government initiatives linking farmers to feed millers to stabilize prices.

In 2022, the government launched the Yellow Corn Industry Roadmap 2021-2040 and extended lower tariffs on corn imports, supporting feed miller demand and helping maintain stable production around 8.2 million tonnes. The introduction of quality protein maize varieties and digital farming technologies began improving yields, while global wheat supply disruptions from the Ukraine conflict increased corn import demand, pushing the market size to 9.2 million tonnes.

Production rose to 8.4 million tonnes in 2023 as government procurement and market interventions helped offset pest pressures. By 2024, corn imports surged to 1.9 million tonnes, reflecting ongoing production constraints such as El Niño weather damage and limited arable land, alongside policy discussions on tariff-free imports and minimum price guarantees for farmers.

Production maize in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines ranked as the 16th largest producer of maize globally.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in the Philippines grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 119 K t of maize, marking a slight increase of 1.8% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7 772 K t, when output fell by 1.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 2.7% rise.

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

Exports maize from the Philippines

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.4 K t, which represented a 45.5% decline. By 2020, maize shipments from the Philippines abroad surged to 2.4 K t, a sharp increase of 465.1% compared to the previous year, marking the peak for the period. Overall, there was a 6.6-fold difference between the trough in 2018 and the peak in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, maize exports from the Philippines were primarily directed toward Vietnam and Hong Kong, which together accounted for 93.2% of total flows, while other destinations played a minor role.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports in value terms hit their lowest volume in 2018 at 1.1 M $ US, a decline of 35.6%. In 2020, exported maize volumes from the Philippines totaled 4.8 M $ US, indicating a steep uptick of 283.3% compared to 2019, which was the peak. This resulted in a top-to-bottom ratio of 4.5 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the key buyer of maize from the Philippines, accounting for 90.0% of total exports in value terms, with a diverse group of other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports maize to the Philippines

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their minimum in 2019 at 458.4 K t, a decline of 49.9%. The maximum was recorded in 2018 at 915.1 K t. In 2020, maize imports into the Philippines amounted to 899.6 K t, indicating an increase of 96.2% compared to 2019. Overall, import levels varied by a factor of 2 between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (23.9% of imports in kind), Thailand (19.6% of imports in kind), and the United States (14.6% of imports in kind) formed the main group of sources for maize imports into the Philippines, with a combined share of 58.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 107.7%, when imports peaked at 268.1 M $ US. In 2020, maize deliveries to the Philippines totaled 216.4 M $ US, constituting a rise of 36.4% year-over-year. The span from 2018 to 2017 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.1 times.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (23.1% of imports in value terms), Thailand (18.6% of imports in value terms), and the United States (12.8% of imports in value terms) remained the key sources for imports in value terms, together accounting for 54.5% of total flows.

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

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