Maize flour and cereals market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the maize flour and cereals market in the MENA region grew consistently, with total volume increasing from 8.5 million tonnes to over 10 million tonnes. The market expanded by more than 18% across the period, with a notable surge of over 7% in 2022, when volume approached 10 million tonnes. Growth rates moderated in 2021 and 2023, reflecting a stabilized but elevated demand level.

In 2024, global regulatory and consumer trends continued to influence the market. Mandatory fortification of maize flour to combat malnutrition, enacted in numerous countries, directly shapes product offerings and nutritional standards. Simultaneously, a marked consumer shift toward gluten-free and organic options, alongside sustained industrial demand from food processing, underpins evolving consumption patterns and supply dynamics in the region.

Production maize flour and cereals in MENA

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

MENA's maize flour and cereals production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 888 thousand tons, marking a 3.5% year-over-year increase. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 8 117 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 1.3%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest growth at 5.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MENA's maize flour and cereals production value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 769 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, MENA's maize flour and cereals exports declined. In 2020, export volume reached 24.9 thousand tons, down 14.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 11.6%, averaging a 4.0% annual decrease. The peak was in 2019 at 29.0 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan, Mauritania, and Palestine were key buyers of maize flour and cereals from MENA, accounting for 36.5%, 4.9%, and 2.8% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share made up only 44.2% of total exports, with the remaining 55.8% spread across numerous other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, MENA's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms dropped. In 2020, exports amounted to 13.3 million US dollars, a sharp decline of 17.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.8%, with an average annual rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 16.1 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms remained highly diversified. Afghanistan, Palestine, and Mauritania accounted for 19.7%, 4.0%, and 3.9% of exports, respectively, totaling just 27.7% of the overall flows. The remaining 72.3% was distributed among a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, MENA's maize flour and cereals imports rebounded. In 2020, import volume stood at 347.3 thousand tons, a solid increase of 13.0% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 307.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest drop of 23.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Turkey, Australia, and India—dominated MENA's maize flour and cereals imports in kind, together making up 82.3% of the total.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, MENA's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms rose. In 2020, imports reached approximately 112.8 million US dollars, an 18.2% increase from the previous year. Despite this, over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 18.6%, with an average annual decrease of 6.6%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 95.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey, Australia, and India led as the top suppliers of maize flour and cereals to MENA in value terms, accounting for 39.1%, 21.3%, and 11.2% of imports, respectively. Their combined share reached 71.6% of total imports.

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

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