Maize starch market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize starch in Zambia experienced fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 24 680 t in 2018, volume declined over the next two years, reaching 21 496 t in 2020. A slight recovery to 22 402 t occurred in 2021, but another drop followed in 2022 to 21 634 t. The market then saw a substantial expansion in 2023, climbing to 25 883 t.

By 2024, the state-owned Food Reserve Agency played a key role by purchasing historic volumes of maize to stabilize supply and support farmers, while official projections indicated a maize surplus for the season. Annual food inflation, driven by cereal price increases of over 20-40%, affected market conditions and costs for related industries such as poultry and livestock feed.

Production maize starch in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

Zambia's maize starch production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 19,248 tonnes of maize starch, which represents a 6.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.6%, averaging an annual decline of 5.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 23,046 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 10.8% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Zambia's maize starch production value also fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 7,826 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate decline of 4.4% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 9,664 thousand US dollars. The sharpest decline happened in 2019 with a 15.3% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports maize starch from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Zambia's maize starch export volumes fluctuated significantly, with an 18-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020. In 2020, the country exported 48 tonnes of maize starch, marking a sharp decline of 73.3% compared to 2019. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2018 with an 82.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the leading destination for Zambia's maize starch exports in volume terms, accounting for 72.1% of total flows. Other markets combined made up the remaining share.

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

The data shows irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia exported maize starch worth 20 thousand US dollars, representing a 72.7% decrease from 2019. The most significant decline was in 2018 with a 79.1% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 8.1%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Kenya dominated Zambia's maize starch exports in value terms, capturing 71.6% of total flows. Other countries together accounted for the remainder.

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 starch to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Zambia imported 2,296 tonnes of maize starch, which represents a 41.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 45.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 9.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary supplier of maize starch to Zambia in volume terms, accounting for 89.4% of total imports. Other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

In 2020, Zambia's maize starch imports totaled 1,124 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 41.2% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 48.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.6% drop.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, South Africa remained the dominant partner for Zambia's maize starch imports in value terms, holding an 89.5% share of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail.

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

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