Saudi Arabia: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in Saudi Arabia

In 2022, the Saudi maize market decreased by 99.9% to less than $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a pronounced increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Maize Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, maize production soared to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 140% against the previous year. Maize production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of maize in Saudi Arabia dropped modestly to X tons per ha, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the yield recorded a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 5.1%. Over the period under review, the average maize yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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 Saudi Arabia; leveling off at the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the maize harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Maize Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2022, the amount of maize exported from Saudi Arabia shrank to X tons, almost unchanged from 2021. Over the period under review, exports faced a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 588%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize exports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 562% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Tanzania (X tons) was the main destination for maize exports from Saudi Arabia, with a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, maize exports to Tanzania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Jordan (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Tanzania amounted to +115.1%.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for maize exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Jordan ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Tanzania amounted to +191.4%.

Export Prices by Country

The average maize export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -10.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 93% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum 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 for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Tanzania amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Tanzania (+35.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2021, approx. X tons of maize were imported into Saudi Arabia; with a decrease of -25.4% on the previous year's figure. In general, total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, maize imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) constituted the largest maize supplier to Saudi Arabia, with a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, maize imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Argentina amounted to +10.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+7.7% per year) and Brazil (-3.6% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of maize to Saudi Arabia, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 25% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Argentina totaled +9.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+6.4% per year) and Brazil (-4.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average maize import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (-0.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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