Africa: Maize Market Overview 2021

Maize Market Size in Africa

The African maize market expanded markedly to $X in 2020, surging by X% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Production in Africa

In value terms, maize production soared to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. Overall, production continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, production remained at a lower figure.

Nigeria (X tonnes) remains the largest maize producing country in Africa, comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, South Africa (X tonnes), twofold. Guinea (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria totaled +X%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+X% per year) and Guinea (+X% per year).

The average maize yield was estimated at X tonnes per ha in 2020, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 when the yield increased by X% year-to-year. The level of yield peaked in 2020 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2020, the total area harvested in terms of maize (green) production in Africa stood at X ha, flattening at the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2020; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 with an increase of X% year-to-year. The level of harvested area peaked in 2020 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Production By Country in Africa

Nigeria (X tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of maize production, accounting for X% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, South Africa (X tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Guinea (X tonnes), with a X% share.

In Nigeria, maize production increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2020. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: South Africa (+X% per year) and Guinea (+X% per year).

Maize Exports

Exports in Africa

Maize exports fell dramatically to X tonnes in 2020, waning by -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a measured expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, exports attained the peak of X tonnes. From 2018 to 2020, the growth exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize exports reduced sharply to $X in 2020. Overall, exports, however, posted modest growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2020, Morocco (X tonnes) and Senegal (X tonnes) were the largest exporters of maize (green) in Africa, together constituting X% of total exports. South Africa (X tonnes) occupied the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by Egypt (X tonnes) and Kenya (X tonnes). All these countries together took approx. X% share of total exports. Algeria (X tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2020, the biggest increases were in Morocco, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), Kenya ($X) and Senegal ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2020, together accounting for X% of total exports.

Morocco saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2020, the maize export price in Africa amounted to $X per tonne, declining by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export prices reached the maximum at $X per tonne in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per tonne), while Algeria ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa, while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Maize Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2020, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of maize (green), when their volume decreased by -X% to X tonnes. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tonnes in 2019, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

In value terms, maize imports shrank sharply to $X in 2020. Overall, imports recorded mild growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2020, the growth imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Botswana (X tonnes), Mozambique (X tonnes) and Algeria (X tonnes) represented roughly X% of total imports of maize (green) in 2020. South Africa (X tonnes) held a X% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Namibia (X%) and Djibouti (X%). Ghana (X tonnes), Seychelles (X tonnes), Mauritius (X tonnes), Lesotho (X tonnes), Nigeria (X tonnes) and Senegal (X tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2020, the biggest increases were in Djibouti, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest maize importing markets in Africa were Seychelles ($X), Botswana ($X) and Nigeria ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports.

Seychelles recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The maize import price in Africa stood at $X per tonne in 2020, rising by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price posted moderate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of X% year-to-year. The level of import peaked at $X per tonne in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per tonne), while Lesotho ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Seychelles, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for maize (green) in Africa?

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Nigeria (815K tonnes) remains the largest maize consuming country in Africa, comprising approx. 42% of total volume. Moreover, maize consumption in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, South Africa (389K tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Guinea (298K tonnes), with a 15% share.

What are the largest producers of maize (green) in Africa?

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Nigeria (815K tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of maize production, accounting for 41% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, South Africa (402K tonnes), twofold. Guinea (298K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a 15% share.

What are the leading exporters of maize (green) in Africa?

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In value terms, Morocco ($30M), Kenya ($28M) and Senegal ($25M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2020, with a combined 69% share of total exports.

What are the leading importers of maize (green) in Africa?

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In value terms, the largest maize importing markets in Africa were Seychelles ($3.4M), Botswana ($3.2M) and Nigeria ($3.1M), with a combined 39% share of total imports.

What is the average export price for maize (green) in Africa?

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In 2020, the maize export price in Africa amounted to $1,429 per tonne, with a decrease of -9.9% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for maize (green) in Africa?

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The maize import price in Africa stood at $1,595 per tonne in 2020, picking up by 256% against the previous year.