Maize market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market volume in the MENA region contracted sharply from 83 617 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 47 398 thousand tonnes in 2019. This decline coincided with voluntary oil production cuts that dampened regional economic growth, creating indirect challenges for agricultural markets. Market volume then stabilized in 2020 before continuing a downward trend through 2023.

Domestic maize production increased to 9 515 thousand tonnes in 2021, supported by significant government investments in integrated agricultural development projects in Egypt, such as the South Valley (Toshka) initiative. However, overall market volume kept falling, reaching 37 945 thousand tonnes in 2023, as imports declined substantially over the period. Concurrently, the region saw growing investments in renewable energy, which began influencing agricultural sectors through new technologies and energy access.

By 2024, regional market dynamics were further affected by economic uncertainty stemming from the conflict in Gaza and Israel. Other evolving factors included accelerated urbanization shifting consumption patterns, the expansion of e-commerce, and the introduction of drought-resistant genetically modified maize varieties in neighboring markets.

Production maize in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 9 142 K t of maize, showing a slight decline of 0.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 7.5%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 2.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 331 K t. That year also saw the largest decline of 35.9%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 45.6%.

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

Exports maize from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. The highest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.8 times. In 2020, maize exports from MENA reached 71 K t, representing a sharp year-on-year increase of 178.1%. The minimum value was 25 K t in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 82.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize exports from MENA were not heavily concentrated. Argentina accounted for 12.4% of exports in kind, Free Zones for 9.5%, and Malaysia for 2.0%, with these three together capturing only 23.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, showing an amplitude of 1.8 times. In 2020, MENA's maize exports stood at 45 M $ US, marking an uptick of 70.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 26 M $ US in 2019, which also recorded the largest decline of 34.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, maize exports in value terms from MENA were widely dispersed across partner countries. Argentina represented 8.5% of exports in value terms, Free Zones 5.9%, and Ethiopia 1.7%, with these three together accounting for only 16.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a gap of 2.3 times between these years. In 2020, imported maize volumes in MENA registered 38 525 K t, which is 0.8% higher than the previous year. The maximum value was 77 433 K t in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 50.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 131.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—Argentina, Brazil, and Ukraine—remained central to imports in kind, together accounting for 60.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Maize imports in MENA increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 381 M $ US, representing a moderate increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports grew by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (29.2% of imports in value terms), Brazil (14.9%), and Ukraine (13.4%) remained the key directions for imports in value terms, together taking 57.5% of total flows.

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

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