Maize flour and cereals market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Kuwait opened the period with a volume of 15 878 tonnes in 2018, characterized by heavy reliance on imports and a significant role for state-owned companies like Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries. A sharp decline in domestic production drove the market down to 11 311 tonnes in 2019, a year marked by rising transport costs and local inflation that pressured consumer spending. Despite global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the market recovered to 12 368 tonnes in 2020 as new players entered import and distribution to compensate for shortages.

Market volume surged by 40% to 17 338 tonnes in 2021, primarily due to a near-halt in exports and supported by increased private investment in storage and distribution logistics. Growth continued in 2022, with volume reaching a peak of 20 519 tonnes, bolstered by a rise in sea-borne imports and an active role of public-sector companies in diversifying supply sources to strengthen food security.

In 2023, the market volume corrected to 18 450 tonnes. Available data for 4 indicates sustained import flows of approximately 3 684 tonnes with minimal exports, pointing to stable supply conditions.

Production maize flour and cereals in Kuwait

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, maize flour and cereals production in Kuwait increased in 2020. The country produced 10,920 tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year rise of 3.3%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 34.6%, with an average annual decrease of 13.2%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 10,575 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 33.9% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Kuwait in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Kuwait's maize flour and cereals production declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 6,507 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant drop of 12.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 63.5%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 28.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kuwait in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 5.7-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Kuwait's exports of maize flour and cereals reached 1,443 tonnes, showing a sharp decline of 23.3% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,724 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 471.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 30.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of maize flour and cereals from Kuwait, accounting for 94.4% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. There was a 4-fold variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2017. In 2020, Kuwait exported 860 thousand US dollars worth of maize flour and cereals, indicating a sharp year-over-year drop of 35.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 2,048 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 302.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 35.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Qatar clearly dominated as the primary buyer of maize flour and cereals from Kuwait, representing 93.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

Kuwait's volume of maize flour and cereals imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 2,891 tonnes, showing a notable rise of 10.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.8%, with an annualized rate of increase of 1.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 2,602 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.6% during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, India, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest sources of imports in volume terms, accounting for 42.1%, 34.3%, and 6.8% respectively. Together, they comprised 83.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals to Kuwait increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 2,425 thousand US dollars, representing a strong year-over-year rise of 10.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2,149 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Italy, and the United States were the main markets for imports in value terms, accounting for 39.3%, 29.1%, and 8.3% respectively. Together, they made up 76.7% of total import flows.

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

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