Based on remote sensing monitoring data up to October 2026, CropWatch monitoring results indicate that Ethiopia's maize planting area was approximately 2,967 thousand hectares, an increase of 8.1% year-on-year; the average yield is projected at 3,480 kg/ha, up 6.2% year-on-year; and total production reached approximately 10.32 million tonnes.

From the perspective of meteorological conditions, national precipitation from July to September was 25% below the average of recent years, temperatures were 1.3°C above average, and potential biomass accumulation (BIOMSS) decreased by 5%. Some production regions, such as the northwestern semi-arid lowlands and the southeastern mixed maize zone, experienced significantly lower precipitation and heavier drought, causing a certain degree of stress on the late-stage grain filling and growth of maize. Overall, benefiting from the effective expansion of the pre-season planting area and the recovery growth of yield, total maize production has maintained a favorable growth momentum this year.

Figure 2.9 Distribution of Maize in Ethiopia in 2026