Maize flour and cereals market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the maize flour and cereals market in Eastern Asia reached 16 722 thousand tons, supported by steady growth in corn production as a key staple ingredient. However, the industry faced limitations due to a low level of deep processing and severe product homogeneity, which constrained further development. Over the next two years, the market volume in physical terms declined to 14 516 thousand tons by 2020, while its value rose to $15 890 million. This shift was driven by the rapid expansion of the corn deep-processing chain, where focus turned to fermented and high-value-added products. State-led agricultural industrialization accelerated industrial production and a clear trend toward green and high-end transformation.

From 2021, the market recovered in volume terms, reaching 15 474 thousand tons by 2023, with its value surging to $20 707 million. Policy support fostered the development of high-value-added products and the expansion of downstream applications, enhancing industry competitiveness. In 2022, a decoupling between starch and corn prices, along with fluctuations in by-product prices, affected processing margins, while growing consumption of starch sugar in the beverage, food, and confectionery industries sustained demand. The sector continued its move toward green and high-end development, with enriched futures and options market tools improving risk management and upgrading the entire supply chain's operational model.

Production maize flour and cereals in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's production of maize flour and cereals declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14,452 thousand tons, which represents an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10%, averaging an annual decline of 3.5%. The peak was reached in 2018, with 16,655 thousand tons produced, marking the largest increase of 3.7% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize flour and cereals output in Eastern Asia stood at 15,832 million US dollars, showing a 3.7% increase compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15,272 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of maize flour and cereals from Eastern Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 11,794 tons, a substantial drop of 22.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.7%, translating to an annualized decline of 3.3%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 15,864 tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 21.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for maize flour and cereals from Eastern Asia were highly diversified. The United States accounted for 4.1% of exports in kind, Australia for 2.7%, and Indonesia for 2.5%, together making up just 9.3% of total flows. The remaining 90.7% was distributed among a wide array of other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of maize flour and cereals exports from Eastern Asia declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 12,921 thousand US dollars, a significant decrease of 12.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, export value increased by 2.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 14,900 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 18.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of maize flour and cereals exports from Eastern Asia was spread across many markets. The United States contributed 5.9% of exports in value terms, Australia 2.9%, and Russia 2.7%, together accounting for only 11.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, imports of maize flour and cereals into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, import volume reached 76,174 tons, a significant reduction of 10.6% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 85,208 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand led as the top supplier of maize flour and cereals to Eastern Asia, accounting for 69.1% of imports in kind. India followed with 9.1%, and the Netherlands with 4.6%. Together, these three countries made up 82.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, the value of maize flour and cereals imports into Eastern Asia fell. In 2020, imports were valued at 70,629 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 9.1% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 16.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 77,685 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Thailand remained the dominant market for imports in value terms, holding a 79.9% share of total flows. The rest of the imports were fragmented across numerous other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020