Top 10 largest corn producers in Africa in 2024

Corn is a staple in many countries, especially in the Americas and Africa. Beyond direct consumption, corn is a key ingredient in many products ranging from cereals, and sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup, and cooking oils, to animal feed, supporting the meat, dairy, and poultry industries.

But corn isn’t just about keeping us fed. Its importance extends far beyond nutrition – it is a critical economic commodity. Countries like the United States, Brazil, and Argentina are among the world’s leading corn producers and exporters, supplying vast quantities of corn to countries globally.

The U.S., for instance, accounts for about 30-40% of global corn exports, making it a major player in international trade. However, several African countries are also significant contributors to global corn production.

According to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1.23 billion metric tons of corn was produced worldwide in 2023/24. South Africa ranks as the 11th largest corn producer globally, with an output of 14 million tons for the 2023/2024 marketing year.

Nigeria follows closely, producing 11.05 million tons, placing it 13th worldwide, while Ethiopia ranks 14th with a production of 10 million tons.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Many African countries remain heavily dependent on corn imports driven by several factors, including limited access to modern farming technologies, inadequate infrastructure for storage, climate change and challenges in scaling up production to meet domestic demand.

For example, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, some Southern African countries battling the fallout of a record El Niño-induced drought this year will need to import at least an additional 3 million tons of corn in the coming months, driving up food costs.

In Malawi and Zimbabwe, for example, maize grain prices are already around 130% to 150% above average for this time of year.