Kuwait: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Kuwait

In 2022, the Kuwaiti maize market increased by 26% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible shrinkage. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Maize Production in Kuwait

In value terms, maize production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 196%. Maize production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of maize in Kuwait expanded significantly to X tons per ha in 2022, increasing by 5.8% against the year before. Overall, the yield, however, continues to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the yield increased by 144% against the previous year. The maize yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of maize were harvested in Kuwait; picking up by 22% on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 146%. The maize harvested area peaked at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Maize Exports

Exports from Kuwait

After three years of decline, shipments abroad of maize increased by 36% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 605%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, maize exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 493%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Iran (X tons) was the main destination for maize exports from Kuwait, accounting for a 54% share of total exports. Moreover, maize exports to Iran exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Qatar (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Oman (X tons), with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Iran totaled +26.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Qatar (+59.8% per year) and Oman (+118.2% per year).

In value terms, Qatar ($X) remains the key foreign market for maize exports from Kuwait, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Iran, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Qatar totaled +35.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+66.9% per year) and Iran (+17.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average maize export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 114% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 621%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Bahrain (-3.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Maize Imports

Imports into Kuwait

In 2022, purchases abroad of maize was finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 253%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 208% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Argentina (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the main suppliers of maize imports to Kuwait.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Argentina (with a CAGR of +6.1%).

In value terms, the largest maize suppliers to Kuwait were Argentina ($X) and Brazil ($X).

In terms of the main suppliers, Argentina, with a CAGR of +3.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

The average maize import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -14.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 28% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (-2.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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