MENA: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in MENA

The MENA's maize market shrank to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -7.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Maize Production in MENA

In value terms, maize production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Iran (X tons) remains the largest maize producing country in MENA, accounting for 57% of total volume. Moreover, maize production in Iran exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Israel (X tons), fourfold. Oman (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Iran was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Israel (-1.4% per year) and Oman (+3.9% per year).

The average maize yield fell slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, reducing by -2.8% compared with the previous year. The yield indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, maize yield increased by +52.9% against 2013 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 23% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of maize (green) production in MENA expanded modestly to X ha, with an increase of 2.6% on the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the maize harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Maize Exports

Exports in MENA

Maize exports surged to X tons in 2022, increasing by 100% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 107%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize exports rose markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 27%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Iran was the key exporter of maize (green) in MENA, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was near 61% of total exports in 2022. Morocco (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (10%). Saudi Arabia (X tons), Israel (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Jordan (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to maize exports from Iran stood at +23.9%. At the same time, Lebanon (+24.5%), Oman (+13.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lebanon emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +24.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Morocco (-1.2%), Jordan (-6.6%) and Israel (-13.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Iran (+40 p.p.), Morocco (+11 p.p.), Oman (+2 p.p.) and Lebanon (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel saw its share reduced by -5.9%, -11.5% and -34.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest maize supplying countries in MENA were Morocco ($X), Iran ($X) and Israel ($X), together accounting for 60% of total exports. Jordan, Lebanon, Oman and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Lebanon, with a CAGR of +20.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -44.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 143%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of maize (green), when their volume increased by 35% to X tons. In general, imports saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports dropped slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which recorded 65% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held near 23% share of total imports. Oman (X tons), Bahrain (X tons), Qatar (X tons) and Djibouti (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +17.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Djibouti (+49.2%), Kuwait (+19.1%) and Saudi Arabia (+10.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Djibouti emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +49.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Oman (-1.3%), Bahrain (-2.5%) and Qatar (-20.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Djibouti increased by +39, +7.6, +3.5, +3.1 and +2 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported maize (green) in MENA, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 5.7% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, maize imports increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+14.0% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+2.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -26.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Djibouti ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Djibouti (+0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform