Market research

Maize market in Timor-Leste

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Timor-Leste opened the period with a strong volume of 86 thousand tons in 2018, driven by government initiatives that distributed nearly 2,000 tractors, facilitated access to organic fertilizers and seeds, and launched local procurement programs to support farmers. Over the next three years, however, market volume contracted, falling to 56 thousand tons in 2021.

From 2022 onward, the market rebounded sharply, reaching 87 thousand tons that year and stabilizing at 85 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery aligned with the government's strategic plan to shift from subsistence to market-oriented agriculture, complemented in 2023 by the distribution of 260 tons of certified maize seeds to boost local planted area and yields.

Into 2024, maize imports rose to 676 tons while authorities implemented direct market interventions, setting a fixed sales price of $0.20 per kilogram for local maize to correct price distortions. Broader economic growth of 4% and sustained funding from the Petroleum Fund continued to provide a supportive backdrop for agricultural development.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Timor-Leste
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Timor-Leste by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Trade balance
1. 7.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 7.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.2.2. In value, K $ US
8. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 8.1. Direct Data
  1. 8.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 8.2. Mirror Data
  1. 8.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production maize in Timor-Leste

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In Timor-Leste, maize production reached 77.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a slight increase of 2.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 86.2 thousand tonnes. That year saw the largest increase of 15.0%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 12.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.0%	(12.2%)	2.5%	1.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize from Timor-Leste

Market analysis indicates that Timor-Leste did not export any maize between 2017 and 2020.

Imports maize to Timor-Leste

Imports in kind, kg

The market displayed notable volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 7 697 kg, then peaked in 2020 at 67 323 kg, representing an 8.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of maize into Timor-Leste surged by 598.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(4.9%)	25.2%	598.8%	102.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Timor-Leste's maize imports were predominantly sourced from Indonesia, which accounted for 95.6% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

Cross-border shipments of maize into Timor-Leste increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import value stood at 22 152 US dollars, reflecting a substantial rise of 354.8% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 884.7%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 114.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	51.4%	43.0%	354.8%	114.3%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017–2020 period, Indonesia dominated Timor-Leste's maize imports in value terms, capturing 73.6% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among a fragmented group of other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io