Introduction
Maize corn is one of the most widely produced and consumed crops in the world, with a variety of uses ranging from food and animal feed to industrial applications. As a result, there is a high demand for maize corn on the global market, leading to significant import volumes in various countries. In this report, we will explore the top 10 maize corn importing countries in the world in 2025, analyzing their import volumes, key players in the industry, and notable trends.
1. China
Import Volume:
China is one of the largest maize corn importing countries in the world, with a significant demand for the crop due to its use in both food and industrial applications. In 2025, China imported over 10 million metric tons of maize corn, making it a key player in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Some of the key players in the maize corn importing industry in China include COFCO Group, China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation, and Sinograin. These companies play a crucial role in importing maize corn into China and distributing it to various end-users.
Trends:
One notable trend in China’s maize corn importing market is the increasing demand for high-quality maize corn for use in food products. As the Chinese middle class continues to grow, there is a rising preference for premium maize corn varieties, creating opportunities for suppliers to cater to this demand.
2. Japan
Import Volume:
Japan is another major maize corn importing country, with a high demand for the crop for food and animal feed purposes. In 2025, Japan imported over 8 million metric tons of maize corn, highlighting its importance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in Japan include Zen-Noh (National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations), Marubeni Corporation, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation. These companies are instrumental in importing maize corn into Japan and ensuring a steady supply for domestic consumption.
Trends:
One key trend in Japan’s maize corn importing market is the increasing focus on sustainability and traceability in the supply chain. Consumers in Japan are increasingly conscious of the environmental and social impact of their food choices, driving demand for maize corn that is sourced ethically and sustainably.
3. South Korea
Import Volume:
South Korea is a significant importer of maize corn, with a growing demand for the crop for use in food and animal feed production. In 2025, South Korea imported over 6 million metric tons of maize corn, indicating its importance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in South Korea include Korea Corn Processing Industry Cooperative, Daehan Flour Mills, and CJ CheilJedang Corporation. These companies play a critical role in importing maize corn into South Korea and meeting the country’s demand for the crop.
Trends:
One significant trend in South Korea’s maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of biofuels. As South Korea aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and promote renewable energy sources, there is a growing demand for maize corn as a feedstock for biofuel production.
4. Mexico
Import Volume:
Mexico is a major importer of maize corn, with a diverse demand for the crop in food, animal feed, and industrial applications. In 2025, Mexico imported over 5 million metric tons of maize corn, highlighting its significance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in Mexico include Grupo Bimbo, Gruma, and Minsa Corporation. These companies are key importers of maize corn into Mexico and play a crucial role in meeting the country’s demand for the crop.
Trends:
One notable trend in Mexico’s maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of tortillas and other traditional Mexican foods. As the demand for authentic Mexican cuisine grows both domestically and internationally, there is a rising need for high-quality maize corn to meet this demand.
5. Egypt
Import Volume:
Egypt is a significant importer of maize corn, with a growing demand for the crop for food and animal feed production. In 2025, Egypt imported over 4 million metric tons of maize corn, underlining its importance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in Egypt include Al Ghurair Group, Agthia Group, and Al Dahra Agriculture. These companies are major importers of maize corn into Egypt and play a crucial role in ensuring a stable supply of the crop for domestic consumption.
Trends:
One key trend in Egypt’s maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of animal feed. As Egypt’s livestock industry continues to grow, there is a rising demand for maize corn as a primary ingredient in animal feed formulations.
6. Spain
Import Volume:
Spain is a notable importer of maize corn, with a diverse demand for the crop in food, animal feed, and industrial applications. In 2025, Spain imported over 3 million metric tons of maize corn, highlighting its significance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in Spain include Grupo Siro, Ebro Foods, and Ingredion. These companies are key importers of maize corn into Spain and play a crucial role in meeting the country’s demand for the crop.
Trends:
One significant trend in Spain’s maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of bio-based plastics and packaging materials. As Spain aims to reduce its reliance on traditional plastics and promote sustainable alternatives, there is a growing demand for maize corn as a raw material for bio-based products.
7. Netherlands
Import Volume:
The Netherlands is a significant importer of maize corn, with a diverse demand for the crop in food, animal feed, and industrial applications. In 2025, the Netherlands imported over 2 million metric tons of maize corn, underlining its importance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in the Netherlands include Cargill, Inc., Louis Dreyfus Company, and ADM. These companies are major importers of maize corn into the Netherlands and play a crucial role in ensuring a consistent supply of the crop for various end-users.
Trends:
One key trend in the Netherlands’ maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of animal feed supplements. As the Dutch livestock industry continues to expand, there is a rising demand for maize corn-based feed products to support animal nutrition and health.
8. Vietnam
Import Volume:
Vietnam is a notable importer of maize corn, with a growing demand for the crop for food and animal feed production. In 2025, Vietnam imported over 1.5 million metric tons of maize corn, highlighting its significance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in Vietnam include CP Group, Masan Group, and C.P. Vietnam Corporation. These companies are key importers of maize corn into Vietnam and play a crucial role in meeting the country’s demand for the crop.
Trends:
One significant trend in Vietnam’s maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of aquafeed. As Vietnam’s aquaculture industry continues to grow, there is a rising demand for maize corn-based feed formulations to support sustainable fish and shrimp farming practices.
9. Iran
Import Volume:
Iran is a significant importer of maize corn, with a growing demand for the crop for food and animal feed production. In 2025, Iran imported over 1 million metric tons of maize corn, indicating its importance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in Iran include Golrang Industrial Group, Behshahr Industrial Development Corporation, and Negin Saba. These companies are major importers of maize corn into Iran and play a crucial role in meeting the country’s demand for the crop.
Trends:
One key trend in Iran’s maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of traditional Iranian bread and pastries. As the demand for authentic Iranian cuisine grows both domestically and internationally, there is a rising need for high-quality maize corn to meet this demand.
10. Saudi Arabia
Import Volume:
Saudi Arabia is a notable importer of maize corn, with a diverse demand for the crop in food, animal feed, and industrial applications. In 2025, Saudi Arabia imported over 500,000 metric tons of maize corn, underlining its importance in the global maize corn market.
Key Players:
Key players in the maize corn importing industry in Saudi Arabia include Almarai Company, Arabian Agricultural Services Company, and Savola Group. These companies are key importers of maize corn into Saudi Arabia and play a crucial role in ensuring a steady supply of the crop for various end-users.
Trends:
One significant trend in Saudi Arabia’s maize corn importing market is the increasing use of maize corn in the production of dairy products. As the Saudi dairy industry continues to expand, there is a growing demand for maize corn-based feed supplements to support dairy cow nutrition and milk production.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top 10 maize corn importing countries in the world in 2025 play a crucial role in the global maize corn market, driving demand for the crop across various industries. These countries import significant volumes of maize corn for food, animal feed, and industrial applications, creating opportunities for suppliers and key players in the industry to meet this demand. By understanding the import volumes, key players, and notable trends in these countries, stakeholders can better navigate the maize corn market and capitalize on emerging opportunities for growth and expansion.