• Analysis and Studies
• Maize: import and export

Maize, commonly known as corn, is a cereal grain that originated in Mexico around 10,000 years ago. It is one of the world's most important staple crops, playing a significant role in global food security and agricultural economies.

There are several types of maize, each with different uses and characteristics. Dent corn is primarily used for animal feed and processed food products, while flint corn is harder and suitable for cornmeal and polenta. Sweet corn is consumed as a vegetable when the kernels are immature and sweet. Popcorn has a unique structure that allows it to pop when heated, and waxy corn is used in food processing and industrial applications due to its high amylopectin content.

Nutritionally, maize is a rich source of carbohydrates and provides essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making it an important energy source. It is widely used in various food products, such as tortillas, cornmeal, and snack foods. Additionally, maize plays a significant role in animal feed and has industrial applications, including the production of corn syrup and biofuels. Its cultural significance is profound, particularly in Indigenous communities across the Americas, where it holds a prominent place in various rituals and traditions.

In 2022, maize seeds were the world's 923rd most traded product, with a total trade of $4.07B, and between 2021 and 2022 the exports grew by 14%, from $3.57B to $4.07B.

In 2022 the country which exported maize seed the most was France, with a trade of $830M, ahead of Argentina ($494M), United States ($344M), Hungary ($295M), and Romania ($259M). Whereas the most significant importer was Malaysia, with a trade of $538M, followed by Germany ($360M), France ($198M), Hungary ($179M), and Poland ($176M).

We can observe that maize seed trade is shaped largely by regional demand, long-standing agricultural connections, and geopolitical factors. European exporters such as France, Hungary, and Romania maintain robust intra-European trade networks, supported by EU policies and common agricultural needs.

In contrast, non-European exporters like Argentina and the United States target more distant markets, with Argentina focusing heavily on Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, and the United States distributing across a wider range of countries. These trade patterns also highlight strategic relationships, as seen in Hungary's close ties with Russia and Argentina's concentrated efforts in Malaysia.

1. France (20.4%): 21% Germany, 11.9% Poland, 8.91% Spain, 7.62% Romania, 6.09% Hungary, 5.43% Russia, 4.66% Italy, 1.44% Turkey
2. Argentina (12.1%): 85.8% Malaysia, 5.31% Uruguay, 1.86% United States
3. United States (8.45%): 36.9% Canada, 11.3% Pakistan, 10.1% Jamaica, 9.36% Mexico, 8.83% Argentina, 5.51% Guyana, 3.3% South Africa, 2.03% Japan, 1.14% France
4. Hungary (7.25%): 22.8% Russia, 12.3% Romania, 7.36% France, 6.8% Germany, 6.7% Poland, 6.19% Italy, 4.11% Bulgaria, 2.71% Spain
5. Romania (6.37%): 15.4% Bulgaria, 13.4% France, 12.7% Hungary, 7.44% Moldova, 7.36% Poland, 6.77% Spain, 5.34% New Zealand, 4.32% Italy, 2.75% Russia, 2.06% Turkey

The imports reflect a mix of regional and global trade dynamics. Malaysia, the top importer, heavily relies on Argentina and Brazil, showcasing its dependence on South American suppliers.

European nations like Germany, France, Hungary, and Poland demonstrate a strong preference for sourcing from within Europe, primarily trading with nearby countries such as France, Austria, and Romania: this highlights the regional focus of European trade, driven by geographic proximity and shared agricultural requirements. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s reliance on distant South American exporters reveals a more globalized approach to meeting its agricultural needs.

1. Malaysia (13.2%): 78.8% Argentina, 16.8% Brazil, 1.87% India
2. Germany (8.83%): 48.7% France, 18.1% Poland, 15.1% Austria, 5.58% Hungary, 3.64% Slovakia, 1.09% Turkey, 1.08% Chile
3. France (4.87%): 17.5% Romania, 13% Spain, 11% Hungary, 10.6% Germany, 10.5% Austria, 4.58% Chile, 2.34% Turkey, 2.14% Poland, 1.98% United States
4. Hungary (4.39%): 28.3% France, 19.6% Austria, 18.5% Romania, 12% Ukraine, 7.68% Slovakia, 1.44% Turkey
5. Poland (4.32%): 56.1% France, 11.2% Hungary, 10.8% Romania, 5.25% Slovakia, 4.95% Austria, 4.81% Germany

Between 2021 and 2022, the country which had the fastest growth in exports was South Africa, with an increase of $91.3M, followed by Romania ($89.2M), Ukraine ($58.8M), Argentina ($56.6M), and Austria ($54.4M).

1. South Africa: from $54.2M to $146M
2. Romania: from $170M to $259M
3. Ukraine: from $17.3M to $76.2M
4. Argentina: from $438M to $494M
5. Austria: from $159M to $213M

Whereas the imports grew the fastest in Malaysia, with an increase of $77.5M, ahead of Hungary ($71.4M), Japan ($49M), Russia ($37.7M), and Germany ($32.7M).

1. Malaysia: from $461M to $538M
2. Hungary: from $107M to $179M
3. Japan: from $10M to $59M
4. Russia: from $119M to $157M
5. Germany: from $327M to $360M

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