Maize flour and cereals market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Saudi Arabia began the period with stable volume around 862 thousand tons in 2018 and 2019. This coincided with the First Mills Company launching new premium flour products at the Foodex 2018 exhibition and the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization securing large volumes of high-quality national flour, refreshing the product range and supporting supply.

Market volume then contracted by 8% from 2020 to 2021, falling to 791 thousand tons. A sharp rebound followed in 2022, driving volume to a peak of 993 thousand tons, before it retreated to 866 thousand tons in 2023.

By 2024, imports had risen to 30 thousand tons. Factors included the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization revealing flour reserves of two million bags ready for market and the number of food factories increasing to over 1,170, with agreements for new grain and legume production plants as part of a strategy to boost local manufacturing.

Production maize flour and cereals in Saudi Arabia

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

Saudi Arabia's production of maize flour and cereals has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 817.8 thousand tons, marking a modest decrease of 3.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 12.5-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Saudi Arabia's foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals amounted to 438 tons, down by 85.6% from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan consistently made up 83.6% of total exports in kind, highlighting a strong concentration on this market, 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest level in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a fivefold difference. In 2020, foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals from Saudi Arabia were valued at 359 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 70.1% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 10.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Jordan dominated the country structure of exports in value terms, accounting for 74.9% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively minor shares.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

Saudi Arabia's imports of maize flour and cereals increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 15 324 tons, representing a measured rise of 4.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 180 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 19.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 20.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Turkey dominated imports in kind, together accounting for 82.6% of total flows, with other destinations contributing smaller individual amounts.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Saudi Arabia's imports of maize flour and cereals rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country imported a total of 7 940 thousand US dollars' worth, showing a limited increase of 5.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 6 402 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018, at 10.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 17.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for imports in value terms were India (53.4% of imports), Turkey (21.7% of imports), and the United States (4.8% of imports), which together accounted for 80.0% of total flows.

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

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