Maize market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in Western Europe rose from 24,255 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 28,685 thousand tonnes in 2021, marking a period of sustained expansion. This trend reversed in 2022 when the market contracted sharply to 23,494 thousand tonnes, a decline linked to the peak in market prices that year which affected trade and consumption patterns. A partial recovery followed in 2023, with volume reaching 25,489 thousand tonnes.

By 2024, the market is shaped by a record global maize supply of 1,226 million tonnes, which increased competitive pressure from major exporters and contributed to lower price levels in the region after the 2022 peak. Additionally, organic maize production in France fell by 16% due to high mycotoxin levels restricting its use in animal feed, tightening supply in that specific segment. Geopolitical factors, weather variability, and currency fluctuations continue to influence price volatility and trade flows.

Production maize in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Western Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Western Europe produced 20 965 thousand tonnes of maize, marking a modest year-over-year improvement of 7.2%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 4.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 656 thousand tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 15.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Maize production in Western Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output of maize was valued at 9 026 million US dollars in Western Europe, representing a significant increase of 17.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 447 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 15.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 19.1%.

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

Exports maize from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign maize supplies from Western Europe amounted to 5 885 thousand tonnes, showing an increase of 13.5% compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.7%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 183 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 6 735 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 23.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize exports in kind from Western Europe were distributed across many countries. Spain accounted for 21.2% of exports in kind, Italy for 8.9%, and the United Kingdom for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.8% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of maize from Western Europe reached 2 533 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 24.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 21.5%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 035 million US dollars, with that year also experiencing the largest decline of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom were among the largest buyers of maize from Western Europe in value terms. Spain accounted for 15.4% of exports, Italy for 6.9%, and the United Kingdom for 5.6%. However, even combined, they represented just 27.9% of total exports in value terms, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports maize to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Western Europe's volume of maize imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled 12 975 thousand tonnes, representing a slight fall of 2.8% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 343 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 14.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Hungary, and Poland formed the main cluster of markets for maize imports in kind. Ukraine accounted for 33.7% of imports, Hungary for 9.4%, and Poland for 7.2%. Together, they represented a combined share of 50.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of improvement, foreign maize supplies to Western Europe declined. In 2020, imports reached 3 341 million US dollars, constituting a limited drop of 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 468 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Hungary, and Poland formed the largest group of suppliers of maize to Western Europe in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 27.0% of imports, Hungary for 8.1%, and Poland for 5.9%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 41.0% of total imports in value terms, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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