Maize flour and cereals market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the maize flour and cereals market in Western Asia showed gradual growth in volume, rising from 3 900 thousand tons to 3 992 thousand tons, with market value increasing more sharply to $1 873 million by 2021.

A significant expansion occurred in 2022, when market volume jumped to 4 394 thousand tons and value surged to $2 549 million. The following year, volume contracted to 4 222 thousand tons while value stabilized at $2 553 million. This downturn coincided with the direct impact of the war in Ukraine on global grain supplies and the El Niño weather phenomenon, which affected agricultural production in the region.

In 2024, import volumes dropped to 177 thousand tons, and exports increased, as the market responded to elevated global corn and wheat prices caused by export reductions from Russia and India. Saudi Arabia's flour production surplus was channeled to export markets such as Egypt, Iraq, and Yemen.

Production maize flour and cereals in Western 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

In 2019, Western Asia's production of maize flour and cereals reached its lowest point at 3 792 K t, marking a 1.2% decline from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 3 837 K t. By 2020, output had recovered slightly to 3 831 K t, representing a modest 1.0% increase compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, maize flour and cereals production in Western Asia experienced a downturn. The value of production reached its highest level in 2019 at 1 802 M $ US, reflecting a 6.0% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production value fell to 1 627 M $ US, a decline of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After declining for two years, maize flour and cereals exports from Western Asia rebounded in 2020. Exports had fallen to their lowest point in 2019 at 95.1 K t, a sharp 44.0% decrease from the previous year. In 2020, exports rose to 109.1 K t, representing a 14.8% increase compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 45.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 18.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for maize flour and cereals from Western Asia was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Egypt accounted for 6.0% of exports in kind, Angola for 3.8%, and Nigeria for 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented 13.1% of total export flows, with the remaining 86.9% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of maize flour and cereals exports from Western Asia increased in 2020. Export value had dropped to its lowest point in 2019 at 45.2 M $ US, a significant 40.0% decrease from the previous year. In 2020, export value rose to 46.4 M $ US, marking a 2.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 46.5%, with a compound annual decline of 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of maize flour and cereals exports from Western Asia was widely dispersed across partner countries. Egypt accounted for 5.4% of export value, Angola for 3.1%, and Nigeria for 2.9%. Combined, these three countries represented just 11.4% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export market.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Maize flour and cereals imports into Western Asia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports had reached their lowest point in 2018 at 233.0 K t, a substantial 27.1% decline from the previous year. In 2019, imports rose by 15.8% to 269.8 K t, and in 2020 they increased further to 290.7 K t, representing a 7.7% uptick compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.1%.

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

The structure of maize flour and cereals imports into Western Asia from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Australia accounted for 36.3% of imports in kind, India for 7.5%, and Italy for 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented 48.5% of total import flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position in the market.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of maize flour and cereals imports into Western Asia increased in 2020. Import value had fallen to its lowest point in 2019 at 93.9 M $ US, a 20.8% decrease from the previous year. In 2020, import value rose to approximately 108.1 M $ US, representing a 15.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 16.3%, with a compound annual decline of 5.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of maize flour and cereals imports into Western Asia was not heavily concentrated. Australia accounted for 22.3% of import value, India for 11.3%, and Italy for 6.9%. Together, these three countries captured only 40.5% of total import flows, indicating a well-diversified import structure.

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

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