Grain Maize in France Grain maize is the second largest grain crop in France, after wheat (with an average of 4.6 million hectares) and ahead of barley (1.7 million hectares). It accounts for some 20% of grain acreage in France (a total of 9 million hectares).
Maize acreage is mainly in south-western France, in particular the region of Aquitaine; it is not only the leading region in France for grain maize, but is also the number one region in Europe with an average acreage of approximately 370 000 hectares, i.e. 21% of the total acreage in France. The Midi-Pyrenees region is the second largest with an average of 220 000 hectares, i.e. approximately 12% of national acreage.
The “South-West” region alone has some 600 000 hectares, i.e. one-third of grain maize acreage in France. The Greater South-West region, including Poitou-Charentes, has 44% of French acreage.
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
Mha
1.77
1.86
1.85
1.64
1.62
1.72
q/ha
72.9
79.6
80.3
77.2
76.4
84.1
MT
12.93
14.81
14.84
12.64
12.4
14.43
Grain Maize Production in France: breakdown per region
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Mha
1.86
1.8
1.76
1.76
1.91
1.83
1.6
q/ha
91
85
89
91
86.1
89.8
72
MT
16.83
15.2
15.66
16.1
16.48
16.44
11.7
Grain Maize Production in France: breakdown per region
Ventilation régionale des surfaces de maïs grain en France
High Yields Maize is a crop that produces some of the highest yields per hectare: the national average is 90 hundredweight per hectare (CWT/ha), compared to, for example, 75 CWT/ha for wheat, with major differences between regions, particularly when the crops are irrigated (about half of the total crop produced in France).
Average annual maize production in France is approximately 16 million tonnes, except in the event of unusual weather phenomena.
The main market is for animal feed.
Grain maize is grown by some 100 000 farmers in France and has averaged about 16 million tonnes over recent years (except for 2003 with only 11.5 Mt because of the Summer drought).
The total (grain) crop harvested is consumed either as animal feed (mainly poultry and pigs) on the farm where it is grown, i.e. “on-farm consumption” (c. 2 Mt on average) or is collected and sold on the market (an average of 14 Mt). Cooperatives or traders/dealers collect the harvest which is then supplied to the national market (livestock feed manufacturers, starch industry and mills) and to the European market (export).
Domestic market (France): Between 6 and 6.5 million tonnes are processed, i.e. around 40% of all uses. The animal feed sector accounts for 3 to 3.5 million tonnes, depending on the season, and is the number one maize customer in France, with 51% of domestic uses. On-farm consumption is estimated in the vicinity of 2 million tonnes, which means that animals across France need a total of 5 to 5.5 million tonnes of maize. The next use is the industrial sector, totalling around 2 million tonnes; 1.5 million tonnes of this will be exported subsequently, including exports to third countries. The cornstarch industry is the main industrial sector using maize, consuming approximately 1.8 million tonnes, followed by milling with just under half a tonne.
France is the leading maize producer in Europe, producing half of Europe’s maize, and with surpluses that can be used to meet the needs of partner countries that all have crop shortfalls. France therefore is virtually the only EU country exporting maize[1]; all the others import maize.
Maize can be found in various forms in everyday life, as part of more than 400 processed products, for either food or industrial uses; it is also a reference feed for “quality label” produce, e.g. foie gras, label poultry and Bayonne ham.
[1] Austria exports maize, but in much smaller quantities: only 200 000 tonnes.
Export – a Duty
With the exception of the 2003/2004 season hit by drought, there has been a regular supply of maize with 16.5 to 17 million tonnes available on a regular basis (resources) to cover all commercial uses, on both the internal and export markets. Resources are mainly comprised of quantities collected (14 Mt), and include stocks carried over from the end of the previous season (2-2.5 Mt depending on the season) plus some minor imports (0.2 Mt) needed for certain specific applications, particularly in the industrial sector.
Development of the Grain Maize Market in France
In an “average” year, total maize uses in France require 14 million tonnes, or up to 16 million tonnes, when on-farm consumption by animals is included in the calculation.
Exports: The volume of grain maize exported is in the vicinity of 8 million tonnes, exported as grain, mainly to EU member States to cover the shortfall in the importing countries. The main customers for France are Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and Germany.
After factoring in industrial products (starch and milling industries), mainly exported to third countries, total exports reach 9 to 9.5 million tonnes.
Europe
Répartition de la production de maïs en Europe
Breakdown of maize production in Europe The 15-member EU is the world’s 4th maize producer, after the USA, China and Brazil. Maize farming covers 4.3 to 4.5 million hectares in the EU, depending on the season, and produces an average of 40 million tonnes. Yields of 80 to 90 CWT/ha are some of the highest in the world and are achieved, in part, through irrigation, which is now compulsory practice in certain countries in southern Europe.
Evolution des surfaces de Maïs grain en Europe
Grain Maize acreage in Europe 40 Mt (average) Maize is Europe’s third grain crop, after wheat (13-14 Mha and 90 Mt) and barley (10-11 Mha et 45 Mt), with total grain production at 200-210 Mt over 37 Mha. France is the leading maize-growing country, producing some 16 million tonnes comprising, on average, 40% of the maize produced in the EU. The second maize-growing country is Italy, with an average of 11 Mt (1.1 Mha), mainly from the north, e.g. the Po Plain. Spain, with 4-4.5 Mt and 0.5 Mha, is number three in Europe, followed by Germany, with 3.5 Mt and 0.4 Mha.
Répartition de la production de maïs
Breakdown of Maize Production Another 10 million tonnes from Central & Eastern European Countries (CEEC). With the enlargement of the EU to include 10 Eastern European countries, maize production in the new EU is in the vicinity of 50 million tonnes over 6-6.5 million hectares, with total CEEC production at approximately 10 million tonnes covering almost 2 million hectares. The top CEEC maize-producing country is Hungary, clearly in the lead with an average of around 6 Mt, but with substantial inter-seasonal fluctuations: approx. 8 Mt in 2001/2002 and 4.5 Mt in 2003/2004, even though the acreage has remained at around 1.2 Mha. The next CEEC country is Poland with 2 Mt for just under 0.4 Mha. A further 10 million tonnes can be anticipated with the inclusion of Rumania (c. 8.5 Mt) and Bulgaria (1.5 Mt).
EU Consumption
EU Consumption
Maize Production & Consumption in the EU: A shortfall of 10 million tonnes partly covered by France All European countries have a shortage of maize, with the exception of France (+ approx. 8 Mt) and Austria (+100 000 tonnes). Overall there is balance with “forced” imports of maize to Spain and Portugal (2 Mt) under EEC-USA agreements concluded when these two countries joined the EU. Total uses of maize in the EU are around 41 to 42 million tonnes, three-quarters being for animal consumption. The industrial sector processes some 9 million tonnes, including 7 Mt for starch and 1.6 Mt for milling (with 300 000kg for corn flakes).
France
