Middle East: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern maize market reduced to $X in 2022, which is down by -8% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Maize Production in the Middle East

In value terms, maize production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Iran (X tons) remains the largest maize producing country in the Middle East, accounting for 62% 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 a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Iran was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (-1.4% per year) and Oman (+3.9% per year).

The average maize yield reduced to X tons per ha in 2022, which is down by -2.7% on the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, the maize yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then contracted 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.

The maize harvested area rose modestly to X ha in 2022, with an increase of 2.6% compared with the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 16%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the maize harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Maize Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of maize (green) exported in the Middle East soared to X tons, picking up by 132% on 2021 figures. Overall, exports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize exports rose markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 29%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Iran represented the major exporter of maize (green) in the Middle East, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 70% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons), together constituting a 16% share of total exports. Israel (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Jordan (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

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%), Turkey (+3.3%) and Saudi Arabia (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lebanon emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +24.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Jordan (-6.6%) and Israel (-13.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Iran (+50 p.p.), Oman (+3.4 p.p.) and Lebanon (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Turkey (-2.1 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (-5.6 p.p.), Jordan (-11.5 p.p.) and Israel (-35.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Iran ($X), Israel ($X) and Jordan ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 69% share of total exports. Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Among 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

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -52.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 175%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the Middle East

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of maize (green) increased by 36% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports posted prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 49%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the major importer of maize (green) in the Middle East, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 66% of total imports in 2022. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by Kuwait (12%). The following importers - Oman (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) - together made up 9% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to maize imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +17.2%. At the same time, Kuwait (+19.1%) and Saudi Arabia (+10.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +19.1% 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 and Bahrain increased by +41, +7.8, +3.7 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported maize (green) in the Middle East, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 6% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, maize imports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kuwait (+14.0% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+2.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -27.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded 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.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (-1.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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