Maize flour and cereals market in Oman

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in Oman experienced significant growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 171 thousand tonnes to 295 thousand tonnes. This expansion was underpinned by a clear government strategy to entrust agricultural development to the private sector and farmers, backed by effective state support to scale up production. Continued involvement of state-owned companies in bolstering the local agricultural market, coupled with policy emphasis on diversifying farm output and encouraging related food industries, provided a stable foundation for growth. The medium-term financial balance plan launched in 2020 further improved the economic environment for the food and agriculture sector, sustaining the upward trajectory.

After a contraction to 232 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market recovered to 253 thousand tonnes in 2022 and reached 278 thousand tonnes by 2023. The recovery was facilitated by the ongoing implementation of supportive government policies for agriculture and the private sector. In 2023, updated labor policies aimed at creating a more flexible job market improved supply chain and distribution efficiency for grains and flour. A key driver was the memorandum of understanding signed between Sial and Bayer to expand crop and seed protection technologies, which directly enhanced agricultural productivity and supported higher output of maize-based products.

Production maize flour and cereals in Oman

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

Oman's production of maize flour and cereals has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 290.8 thousand tons, marking a significant 21.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 81.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.1%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Oman

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 494 tons and peaked in 2017, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Oman's foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals amounted to 929 tons, representing a sharp 88.1% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 59.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen were the leading destinations for exports in kind, together accounting for 84.0% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports bottomed in 2019 at 214 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Oman's volume of maize flour and cereals exports reached 574 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 168.3% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 33.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (51.6% of exports in value terms), Somalia (25.4%), and Yemen (11.7%) accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms, together comprising 88.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Oman

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year contraction, foreign maize flour and cereals supplies to Oman increased. Imports reached their minimum in 2019 at 4 152 tons and rose to 5 415 tons in 2020, indicating a steep 30.4% year-over-year improvement. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 6.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and the United Arab Emirates clearly dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of maize flour and cereals imports to Oman increased for the second consecutive year. Oman imported a total of 3 784 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a steep rise of 38.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 35.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 630 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in that same year at 5.5%.

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

In 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates and India acted as the dominant destinations for imports in value terms, jointly taking 83.9% of total flows and leaving the remaining share to other markets.

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

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