Saudi Arabia's maize production experienced a notable fluctuation over the past decade. In 2013, the production was relatively high but saw a drastic drop of over 85% by 2014. Post-2014, the production showed a slight recovery but remained low until a significant increase in 2018 which continued into 2019. From 2020 onwards, production has seen a steady decline with a notable year-on-year drop of 3.09% in 2023, where the volume stood at 37.67 thousand metric tons. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years reflects a downward trend at -3.3%.
Looking forward, the forecast for the next five years indicates a continued decline in maize production with an average annual decrease (CAGR) of -2.89%. The total production is anticipated to decrease by 13.65% by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include:
• Impact of climate change on agricultural output.
• Technological advancements in farming that may improve yields.
• Government policies aimed at boosting local production to reduce import dependence.
• Fluctuations in global maize prices influencing local production decisions.
