Maize market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. maize market volume expanded from 295.0 million tons in 2018 to 312.1 million tons by 2021, driven primarily by large-scale production for animal feed and government policies supporting agricultural expansion. This growth was further accelerated in 2021 when over 40% of the national crop was used for ethanol production, following renewable energy mandates and carbon reduction commitments.

After a contraction to 288.7 million tons in 2022, the market rebounded sharply to a peak of 344.8 million tons in 2023, a year marked by record consumption levels. Market dynamics during this period were influenced by price volatility stemming from supply-demand fluctuations, weather impacts on harvests, and shifts in government policy.

Throughout the observed period, the industry saw significant developments such as Archer Daniels Midland Company's introduction of novel plant-based protein components from maize for food applications. Additionally, sustained high livestock inventories underpinned feed demand, while regulatory changes including the U.S. FDA's mandatory accredited laboratory testing for imported maize lots added new complexity to supply chains.

Production maize in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Globally, the United States was the leading producer of maize from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, maize production in the United States rebounded in 2020, reaching 358.4 million tonnes. This represented a 3.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 346.0 million tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 5.0% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Maize production value in the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 66 209 million US dollars, down 0.7% from the previous year. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 67 173 million US dollars, while the largest decline of 0.7% was recorded in 2019. The largest increase of 0.4% was also observed in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 51 839 thousand tonnes of maize, showing a strong increase of 24.7% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 2.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 41 562 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 40.7% that year. The peak was in 2018 at 70 066 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 32.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of US maize in terms of volume were Mexico, accounting for 28.0% of exports, Japan with 22.4%, and Colombia at 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 59.3% of total maize exports from the United States.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, US maize export value stood at 9 575 million US dollars, reflecting a solid gain of 19.5% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 013 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 38.0% that year. The highest value was in 2018 at 12 921 million US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 35.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, the main destinations for US maize exports by value were Mexico, with 28.3% of exports, Japan at 22.0%, and Colombia with 8.2%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 58.5% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports maize to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, US maize imports amounted to 697 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp drop of 33.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 48.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.7%. The largest decline of 38.2% occurred in 2018, while the largest increase of 26.4% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core sources for US maize imports by volume were Canada, representing 40.3% of imports, Argentina at 18.4%, and Brazil with 18.1%. Together, these three countries supplied 76.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

US maize import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 337 million US dollars, indicating a gradual decline of 9.1% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, three main markets—Canada, Argentina, and Chile—collectively absorbed 67.6% of total US maize imports by value.

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

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