Maize flour and cereals market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Southern Asia showed considerable movement from 2018 to 2023, with volume peaking at 11 580 тыс. т in 2018 before falling to 8 928 тыс. т in 2020 and then recovering strongly to 11 397 тыс. т by 2023. In value terms, the market expanded from $4 970 млн to $5 770 млн over the same period, reflecting a rebound after a significant dip.

Regulatory updates, including amendments to standards for whole maize flour by India's Food Safety and Standards Authority in 2018, altered labeling and quality rules. By 2023, direct government promotion of maize cultivation under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission, with specific projects in Assam, helped boost domestic supply. Throughout the period, the active involvement of major global players like Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Bunge, through strategic alliances and product launches, contributed to market development and innovation.

Production maize flour and cereals in Southern Asia

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

Southern Asia's production of maize flour and cereals declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 953 K t, marking a significant year-over-year decrease of 20.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17.7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 6.3%. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 11 583 K t, with the largest annual increase of 6.4% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of maize flour and cereals in Southern Asia was 3 784 M $ US, representing a sharp decline of 24.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.9%. The largest increase in value was recorded in 2019 at 0.8%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Asia's exports of maize flour and cereals in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 28.6 K t, showing a year-over-year growth of 2.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 87.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of maize flour and cereals from Southern Asia in volume terms were Iraq (accounting for 3.7% of exports), Australia (2.0%), and Canada (0.9%). Together, these three countries represented 6.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, the value of maize flour and cereals exports from Southern Asia declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 12 101 K $ US, which is 2.3% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 56.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 12 380 K $ US, with the largest annual increase of 27.6% also occurring that year.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Australia (7.1% of exports), Iraq (6.5%), and the United Arab Emirates (2.6%) together accounted for just 16.1% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market for imports in volume terms showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, imports peaked at 45.1 K t, but in 2020, they dropped sharply to 3.7 K t, representing a dramatic decline of 91.8% year-over-year. This resulted in a 12.2-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 127.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest contributors to imports in volume terms were Turkey (2.8% of imports), China (2.6%), and Turkmenistan (1.0%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 6.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms exhibited an unstable trend. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 26 733 K $ US, but in 2020, they fell to 10 659 K $ US, marking a sharp decrease of 60.1% compared to the previous year. This represented a 2.5-fold shift between the peak and the trough. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 123.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of maize flour and cereals to Southern Asia in value terms were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Turkey (3.8% of imports), China (2.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (1.4%) together accounted for only 7.7% of total flows.

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

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