Maize market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Egypt grew substantially in 2019, reaching 17.1 million tons, driven by a surge in imports. Domestic production also increased to 7.6 million tons despite the spread of the fall armyworm, a pest that threatened corn crops. By 2020, the government expanded the cultivated area to 2.7 million feddans to reduce import reliance, which helped maintain production at 7.6 million tons.

In 2021, the market volume rose further to 17.5 million tons as farmers shifted from oilseed crops to maize, boosting domestic output. However, the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 disrupted global supplies, causing sharp price increases and import difficulties due to foreign currency shortages. This led to a contraction in the market to 15.2 million tons, with both imports and production declining.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 14.8 million tons as production recovered to 7.4 million tons, partly offsetting ongoing import constraints from currency deficits. In 2024, imports rebounded to 9.2 million tons, while the government continued to promote self-sufficiency by planting 3 million feddans of maize.

Production maize in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt ranked as the 19th largest producer of maize globally.

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, Egypt produced 7 593 K t of maize, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 11.1%, with an average annual decrease of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 111 K t, which represented the largest decline of 40.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 48.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Egypt's maize output was valued at 1 862 M $ US, down 12.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 35.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 13.4%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 1 334 M $ US, marking the steepest drop of 53.5%. The following year, 2019, experienced the largest increase of 59.5%.

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

Exports maize from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Egypt exported 11 K t of maize in 2020, a sharp increase of 63.0% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fluctuated significantly, with the highest volume in 2020 and the lowest in 2019, resulting in a 2.7-fold difference between these extremes. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 23.6%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 115.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt's maize exports in kind were relatively evenly distributed among destinations. Oman accounted for 19.3% of exports, Jordan for 16.4%, and Yemen for 11.2%, together making up 46.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Egypt's maize exports totaled 3 M $ US, a dramatic rise of 42.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 95.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 25.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.9%, while 2018 recorded the biggest increase of 67.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Algeria was the largest buyer of Egyptian maize in value terms at 18.6%, followed by Jordan at 15.7% and Oman at 13.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 47.7% of total export value, indicating a diversified market structure.

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

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

Imports maize to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Egypt imported 8 883 K t of maize, a decrease of 6.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.6%, with an average annual increase of 1.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 6 052 K t, which saw the largest decline of 28.1%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 9 496 K t, marking the biggest increase of 56.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, Ukraine, and Brazil were the main sources of maize imports to Egypt in kind. Argentina accounted for 32.4% of imports, Ukraine for 31.0%, and Brazil for 27.5%, together representing 90.9% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Egypt's maize import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 007 M $ US, up 1.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 15.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Argentina, Ukraine, and Brazil were the primary suppliers of maize to Egypt in value terms. Argentina contributed 31.2% of import value, Ukraine 30.0%, and Brazil 26.7%, collectively accounting for 87.9% of total imports.

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

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