Europe: Maize Market 2023

Maize Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe maize market increased by 5% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Maize Production in Europe

In value terms, maize production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a sharp reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 186%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Croatia (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Hungary (X tons), with a combined 68% share of total production. France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Spain (with a CAGR of +15.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average maize yield declined modestly to X tons per ha in 2021, leveling off at 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 13%. Over the period under review, the maize yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The maize harvested area declined modestly to X ha in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, shipments abroad of maize (green) decreased by -2.1% to X tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a nine-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 8.7%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, maize exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Italy (X tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) represented the largest exporters of maize (green), together comprising 86% of total exports. Poland (X tons) and Germany (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +23.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest maize supplying countries in Europe were Italy ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Spain ($X), together accounting for 76% of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Germany, Belgium and Poland, which together accounted for a further 16%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +17.7%, recorded 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

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports in Europe

Maize imports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, increasing by 16% compared with 2020. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, maize imports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +57.2% against 2015 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of maize imports in 2021 were France (X tons), Germany (X tons), the UK (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons), together amounting to 59% of total import. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), constituting a 5.7% share of total imports. The following importers - Switzerland (X tons), Austria (X tons), Poland (X tons), Russia (X tons), Spain (X tons), Sweden (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Italy (X tons) - together made up 23% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +24.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), France ($X) and the UK ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 49% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Austria, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy and Russia, which together accounted for a further 39%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +29.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, leveling off in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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