Egypt, Saudi step up maize imports

Egypt has increased its purchases of maize by 899.4 per cent, from 90,310 tons in 2011 to 902,550 tons in 2012, while Saudi Arabia raised its corn imports from 159,770 to 402,190 tons in the same period, an increase of 151.7 per cent, according to Scot Consultoria.

BrazArtis, an import-export company based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is set to expand its soybean and corn exports to the Middle East, an endeavour that is aligned with the growing Brazilian grain harvest and exports.

Driven by soybean and corn production, Brazilian grain harvest is estimated to exceed 180 million tons from 170 million last year. The soybean harvest alone for 2012/13 is set to increase by 20 per cent and reach 81 million tons, from 66 million last year. Ranked as the second agricultural commodity export from Brazil, maize production is set to increase by 7 per cent from 66 million tons to 70 million tons.