Maize flour and cereals market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the maize flour and cereals market in the GCC countries experienced significant fluctuations in volume. Overall market size grew from 1.2 million tons in 2018 to 1.4 million tons in 2023, with a notable peak of 1.5 million tons reached in 2022.

The market expansion in 2022, which saw a 22% volume increase, was primarily driven by a surge in domestic production to 1.3 million tons. In contrast, the contractions observed in 2021 and 2023 coincided with declines in local output. Imports provided consistent support throughout the period, rising from 164 thousand tons to 234 thousand tons.

Production maize flour and cereals in GCC

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

GCC's maize flour and cereals production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 1 144 K t, marking a 1.8% increase over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019, at 7.4%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

GCC exported 7.4 K t of maize flour and cereals in 2020, reflecting a sharp decrease of 25.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 38.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 15.0%. The largest drop was in 2018, at 30.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, at 18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Iran, and Yemen were notable but not dominant buyers of maize flour and cereals from GCC. Jordan accounted for 26.1% of exports in kind, Iran for 7.4%, and Yemen for 6.1%. Together, their share reached only 39.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, maize flour and cereals shipments from GCC to abroad declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 751 K $ US, down by 14.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 937 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was diverse. Jordan accounted for 12.6% of exports in value terms, Iran for 8.1%, and Eritrea for 7.7%. Together, they formed only 28.5% of total flows, with the remaining 71.5% supplied to many other countries.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

GCC's maize flour and cereals import volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 188.6 K t, indicating a robust uptick of 10.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 35.2%, equating to an annualized increase of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia remained the main market for imports in kind, with a share of 79.4% of total flows. The rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign maize flour and cereals supplies to GCC have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 53 017 K $ US, constituting a significant rise of 13.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, India, and Turkey were the largest suppliers of maize flour and cereals to GCC in value terms. Australia accounted for 54.3% of imports, India for 22.9%, and Turkey for 4.1%. Together, they formed 81.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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