Maize market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The West African maize market expanded from 23 994 тыс. т in 2018 to 26 479 тыс. т in 2019, supported by fertilizer and seed subsidy programs in countries like Nigeria. These subsidies reduced production costs by up to 50% and encouraged farmers to increase planted area. Nigeria's dominant market position, with a 15% share of African maize in 2018, was reinforced by a diversified processing base including domestic millers, brewers and animal feed manufacturers, which provided stable demand for producers.

Market growth slowed in 2020, with volume reaching 26 524 тыс. т, as broader Sub-Saharan African maize production momentum weakened. However, volume resumed its upward trend from 2021 to 2022, climbing to 28 038 тыс. т. Continued subsidy schemes kept production costs in check, while rapid urbanization in Ghana began altering consumption patterns, boosting demand for maize in urban diets.

In 2023, the market contracted to 26 967 тыс. т, mirroring a decline in regional output. Sub-Saharan African maize production fell to its lowest level since 2020 due to weaker harvests, increasing the region's reliance on imports. Although human consumption demand remained strong, insufficient local supply reduced overall market volume.

Production maize in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Western Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 26 217 K t of maize, representing a 0.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 16.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize output in Western Africa reached 8 057 M $ US, showing a robust increase of 11.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 42.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 4.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 34.4%.

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

Exports maize from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. {context_3} reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 7.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of maize from Western Africa amounted to 89.9 K t, marking a sudden rise of 261.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 12.4 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 87.3%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. {context_3} volumes bottomed out in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 6.9 times. In 2020, maize exports from Western Africa totalled 27.6 M $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 298.1% from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4.0 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 83.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France consistently held the largest share of maize exports from Western Africa in value terms, accounting for 0.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Western Africa's volume of maize imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 396.3 K t, marking a decrease of 11.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 48.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (65.2% of imports in kind), the United States (11.8% of imports in kind), and Brazil (3.4% of imports in kind) were the principal suppliers of maize to Western Africa, jointly accounting for 80.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Western Africa's maize imports increased. In 2020, the region imported a total of 191.7 M $ US of maize, reflecting an improvement of 62.5% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 117.9 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 34.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (62.7% of imports in value terms), the United States (13.6% of imports in value terms), and South Africa (3.6% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 79.9% of total flows.

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

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