Maize flour and cereals market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Egypt grew steadily from 2018 to 2020, supported by government subsidies for wheat that maintained bread affordability and the entry of thirteen new import companies in 2019, which increased supply competition. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted wheat imports, accelerating a research initiative to blend corn flour into bread production, directly boosting maize flour demand.

Between 2021 and 2022, market expansion was driven by a deliberate increase in corn cultivation area by 100,000 acres to meet poultry sector needs and the resumption of poultry exports, which raised corn consumption. Major firms like Cairo Three A and Al‑Sofi controlled up to 45% of corn imports, consolidating supply. The Russia‑Ukraine war triggered a global feed crisis, delaying corn shipments and pushing prices above EGP 11,000 per ton, yet continued state wheat subsidies helped stabilize overall grain market conditions.

In 2023, market volume reached 5,800 thousand tons, extending the upward trend amid sustained domestic consumption.

Production maize flour and cereals in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Egypt was among the world's top producers of maize flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020, ranking 8th globally by production volume.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

Egypt's production of maize flour and cereals grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 856 K t, marking a slight increase of 2.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 4 608 K t, which saw the largest decline of 1.9%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Egypt's maize flour and cereals production value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 813 M $ US, representing a 6.5% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 27.1%, translating to an annualized decline of 10.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 2 596 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 25.3%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Egypt exported 5 229 t of maize flour and cereals, which was 14.8% lower than in 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 137 t, while the largest increase of 97.9% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Palestine, Jordan, and Yemen were the core export destinations for maize flour and cereals from Egypt, accounting for 21.2%, 19.8%, and 19.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference. In 2020, Egypt exported maize flour and cereals worth 1 953 K $ US, a decrease of 22.1% from the previous year. The highest value was in 2019 at 2 507 K $ US, and the largest increase of 110.4% was recorded in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Palestine, Jordan, and Yemen were the key partners for Egypt's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms, representing 29.0%, 16.0%, and 15.7% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 60.7% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Egypt's imports of maize flour and cereals increased. In 2020, the country imported approximately 15 348 t, a sharp rise of 29.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 33.9%, equivalent to an annualized drop of 12.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 11 821 t, which also saw the largest decline of 33.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Ukraine were the dominant suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Egypt, together accounting for 85.2% of total imports in kind. Other sources each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of losses, Egypt's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms increased. In 2020, import value was recorded at 6 429 K $ US, showing a year-on-year rise of 24.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 30.1%, with an average annual decline of 11.2%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 5 157 K $ US, which also experienced the largest drop of 33.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey and Ukraine remained the primary sources for Egypt's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms, jointly representing 83.8% of total flows. Other partners were individually much less significant.

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

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