Maize market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Zambia's maize market volume showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. The market contracted to 1 978 thousand tonnes in 2019, then expanded sharply to over 3 500 thousand tonnes in 2021, before falling again in 2022 and rebounding to 3 204 thousand tonnes in 2023.

The market recovery in 2023 occurred alongside elevated demand for maize grain and meat products, which sustained consumption levels despite high inflation and a depreciating currency that placed pressure on supply and prices.

State market operations, led by the Food Reserve Agency's active purchasing from farmers, provided consistent support. Furthermore, the Statistics Act of 2018 established a framework for improved agricultural data collection, enabling more evidence-based policy interventions that influenced market transparency and stability throughout the period.

Production maize in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Zambia's maize production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 2,004 thousand tonnes, but then surged by 69.0% in 2020 to reach 3,387 thousand tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 33.6%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.1%.

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

Exports maize from Zambia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 35.4 thousand tonnes, after peaking in 2017, with a 10.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia's foreign maize supplies increased to 52.7 thousand tonnes, up 48.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 85.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe were the primary buyers of maize from Zambia. Kenya accounted for 32.6% of exports in kind, Tanzania for 19.1%, and Zimbabwe for 17.6%. Together, these three countries represented 69.2% of Zambia's total maize exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Zambia's maize export volume in monetary terms increased after a two-year decline. In 2019, it reached its minimum at 37,643 thousand US dollars, but then rose by 8.9% in 2020 to total 40,977 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 54.5%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 58.5%, averaging an annual decline of 25.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zimbabwe formed the key group of partners for Zambia's maize exports in value terms. Tanzania accounted for 31.4% of exports, Kenya for 27.6%, and Zimbabwe for 12.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize to Zambia

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports bottomed out in 2018 at 0.5 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 14.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 28-fold increase. In 2020, Zambia's maize imports grew by 62.1% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 87.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1,635.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Zambia's maize imports in kind, consistently accounting for 94.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their trough in 2018 at 2,716 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 5,097 thousand US dollars, with a 1.9-fold difference. In 2020, Zambia imported 3,670 thousand US dollars of maize, marking a steep drop of 28.0% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 87.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the principal market for maize imports to Zambia, accounting for 71.5% of total imports in value terms. Other destinations played a less significant role.

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

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