Latin America and the Caribbean: Maize Market Overview 2021

Maize Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American maize market surged to $X in 2020, growing by X% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a noticeable increase from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, consumption increased by +X% against 2015 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Maize Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, maize production skyrocketed to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. In general, production posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. The level of production peaked in 2020 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Mexico (X tonnes) remains the largest maize producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Peru (X tonnes), twofold. Chile (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 Mexico amounted to +X%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Peru (+X% per year) and Chile (-X% per year).

The average maize yield stood at X tonnes per ha in 2020, increasing by X% on 2019. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2020; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tonnes per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2020. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2020, the maize harvested area in Latin America and the Caribbean reached X ha, remaining stable against 2019 figures. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2019 to 2020, the growth of the maize harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country in Latin America and the Caribbean

Mexico (X tonnes) remains the largest maize producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Peru (X tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Chile (X tonnes), with a X% share.

In Mexico, 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: Peru (+X% per year) and Chile (-X% per year).

Maize Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Maize exports expanded slightly to X tonnes in 2020, growing by X% compared with 2019. In general, exports enjoyed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports attained the peak figure in 2020 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, maize exports rose significantly to $X in 2020. Overall, exports continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs in 2020 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Mexico dominates maize exports structure, reaching X tonnes, which was near X% of total exports in 2020. It was distantly followed by Honduras (X tonnes), Costa Rica (X tonnes) and Guatemala (X tonnes), together achieving a X% share of total exports. Nicaragua (X tonnes) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Mexico increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2020. At the same time, Honduras (+X%) and Nicaragua (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Honduras emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2020. By contrast, Guatemala (-X%) and Costa Rica (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mexico (+X p.p.) and Honduras (+X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Guatemala and Costa Rica saw its share reduced by -X% and -X% from 2007 to 2020, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest maize supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Honduras ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Costa Rica, with a X% share.

In Mexico, maize exports increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2020. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Honduras (+X% per year) and Costa Rica (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The maize export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per tonne in 2020, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the last thirteen years, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by X% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2020 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

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

Maize Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2020, purchases abroad of maize (green) was finally on the rise to reach X tonnes for the first time since 2017, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2020; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, maize imports surged to $X in 2020. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of X% y-o-y. The level of import peaked in 2020 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2020, El Salvador (X tonnes) represented the major importer of maize (green), comprising X% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tonnes), Mexico (X tonnes), Uruguay (X tonnes) and Panama (X tonnes), together achieving a X% share of total imports. The following importers - Chile (X tonnes), Cayman Islands (X tonnes) and Aruba (X tonnes) - together made up X% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Colombia (+X% per year), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported maize (green) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by El Salvador ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Cayman Islands, with a X% share.

In Mexico, maize imports expanded at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2020. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: El Salvador (+X% per year) and Cayman Islands (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the maize import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per tonne, shrinking by -X% against the previous year. Over the last thirteen years, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per tonne in 2019, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Cayman Islands ($X per tonne), while Colombia ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for maize (green) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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The countries with the highest volumes of maize consumption in 2020 were Mexico (684K tonnes), Peru (430K tonnes) and Chile (146K tonnes), together comprising 91% of total consumption. These countries were followed by El Salvador and Bolivia, which together accounted for a further 4.9%.

What are the largest producers of maize (green) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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Mexico (1M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of maize production, comprising approx. 57% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Peru (430K tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Chile (144K tonnes), with a 8.1% share.

What are the leading exporters of maize (green) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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In value terms, Mexico ($244M) remains the largest maize supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Honduras ($52M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Costa Rica, with a 6.7% share.

What are the leading importers of maize (green) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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In value terms, Mexico ($8M) constitutes the largest market for imported maize (green) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by El Salvador ($3.4M), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Cayman Islands, with a 8.7% share.

What is the average export price for maize (green) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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In 2020, the maize export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $877 per tonne, picking up by 8.4% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for maize (green) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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The maize import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $831 per tonne in 2020, which is down by -11% against the previous year.