MENA: Maize Market 2023

Maize Market Size in MENA

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in the MENA's maize market, when its value increased by 16% to $X. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Maize Production in MENA

In value terms, maize production shrank slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, 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 8.8% share.

In Iran, maize production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (-0.9% per year) and Oman (+4.3% per year).

In 2021, the average yield of maize (green) in MENA declined slightly to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -2.2% against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 21%. Over the period under review, the maize yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2020, and then shrank modestly 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 2021, the maize harvested area in MENA expanded modestly to X ha, surging by 2.1% on 2020. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 36%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the maize harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Maize Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of maize (green), when their volume decreased by -65.2% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, recorded temperate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 105%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then declined sharply in the following year.

In value terms, maize exports fell sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a slight downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Iran (X tons), distantly followed by Morocco (X tons), Oman (X tons), Israel (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) were the key exporters of maize (green), together mixing up 87% of total exports. Egypt (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Morocco (with a CAGR of +12.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), Israel ($X) and Iran ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 66% of total exports.

Morocco, with a CAGR of +11.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, growing by 127% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable setback. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Maize Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, overseas purchases of maize (green) decreased by -24.7% to X tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after six years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a perceptible increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize imports contracted modestly to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 23%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the largest importer of maize (green) in MENA, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 40% of total imports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Kuwait (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Oman (X tons). All these countries together took near 52% share of total imports. Palestine (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to maize imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +10.7%. At the same time, Bahrain (+22.0%), Kuwait (+21.1%) and Saudi Arabia (+12.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +22.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Palestine (-1.6%), Oman (-1.7%) and Qatar (-15.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain increased by +19, +11, +9.4 and +6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported maize (green) in MENA, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +5.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kuwait (+13.0% per year) and Qatar (-15.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 28% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible contraction. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+0.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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