Sep 2, 2025

IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Maize Oil – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

Driven by demand for maize oil, the UK market is set to grow steadily over the next decade. By 2035, market volume is expected to reach 3.1K tons and market value to hit $6.4M. This growth is projected to be fueled by a CAGR of +0.8% for volume and +4.9% for value from 2024 to 2035.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for maize oil in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.1K tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.4M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Market Value (million USD, nominal wholesale prices)ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Maize Oil

After two years of growth, consumption of maize oil decreased by -35.9% to 2.9K tons in 2024. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a modest increase. Maize oil consumption peaked at 4.5K tons in 2023, and then fell sharply in the following year.

The value of the maize oil market in the UK shrank remarkably to $3.8M in 2024, which is down by -44.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, enjoyed a mild expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $7.3M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Maize Oil

In 2020, production of maize oil was finally on the rise to reach 9.6K tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, production faced a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume decreased by -62.9% against the previous year. Maize oil production peaked at 19K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, maize oil production totaled $16M in 2020 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with a decrease of -58.9%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $18M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, production remained at a lower figure.

ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Maize Oil

In 2024, overseas purchases of maize oil decreased by -35.6% to 2.9K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports recorded a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 113% against the previous year. Imports peaked at 4.5K tons in 2023, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

In value terms, maize oil imports shrank significantly to $4.9M in 2024. Overall, imports showed a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 180%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $11M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2024, Belgium (1.2K tons) constituted the largest supplier of maize oil to the UK, accounting for a 40% share of total imports. Moreover, maize oil imports from Belgium exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (419 tons), threefold. Italy (356 tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Belgium stood at -8.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+55.1% per year) and Italy (+17.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest maize oil suppliers to the UK were Belgium ($1.8M), Spain ($943K) and Sweden ($567K), with a combined 68% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Sweden, with a CAGR of +83.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2024, refined maize (corn) oil (2.1K tons) constituted the largest type of maize oil supplied to the UK, with a 73% share of total imports. Moreover, refined maize (corn) oil exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, crude maize (corn) oil (791 tons), threefold.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of refined maize (corn) oil imports totaled -4.7%.

In value terms, refined maize (corn) oil ($3.5M) constituted the largest type of maize oil supplied to the UK, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by crude maize (corn) oil ($1.4M), with a 28% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of refined maize (corn) oil imports stood at -4.7%.

Import Prices By Type

In 2024, the average maize oil import price amounted to $1,673 per ton, waning by -8.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when the average import price increased by 31% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $2,571 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplied products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was crude maize (corn) oil ($1,716 per ton), while the price for refined maize (corn) oil stood at $1,656 per ton.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by crude maize oil (+0.1%).

Import Prices By Country

In 2024, the average maize oil import price amounted to $1,673 per ton, which is down by -8.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 31%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $2,571 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($4,880 per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($1,071 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+11.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Maize Oil

For the fourth year in a row, the UK recorded decline in shipments abroad of maize oil, which decreased by -4.6% to 43 tons in 2024. Over the period under review, exports faced a precipitous decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 2,445%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 21K tons. From 2016 to 2024, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize oil exports fell rapidly to $221K in 2024. Overall, exports saw a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 773% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $19M. From 2016 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

Hong Kong SAR (13 tons), Norway (13 tons) and Ireland (12 tons) were the main destinations of maize oil exports from the UK, with a combined 88% share of total exports. Cayman Islands, Singapore, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Belgium and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 10%.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Cayman Islands (with a CAGR of +13.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for maize oil exported from the UK were Hong Kong SAR ($76K), Singapore ($39K) and Cayman Islands ($38K), together accounting for 69% of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Cayman Islands, with a CAGR of +17.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Refined maize (corn) oil (43 tons) was the largest type of maize oil exported from the UK, accounting for a 100% share of total exports. It was followed by crude maize (corn) oil (155 kg), with a 0.4% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of refined maize (corn) oil exports amounted to -16.1%.

In value terms, refined maize (corn) oil ($220K) remains the largest type of maize oil exported from the UK, comprising 100% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by crude maize (corn) oil ($332), with a 0.2% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of refined maize (corn) oil exports totaled -12.6%.

Export Prices By Type

The average maize oil export price stood at $5,113 per ton in 2024, reducing by -39.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 208% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $8,467 per ton in 2023, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was refined maize (corn) oil ($5,124 per ton), while the average price for exports of crude maize (corn) oil stood at $2,142 per ton.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: crude maize oil (+8.3%).

Export Prices By Country

The average maize oil export price stood at $5,113 per ton in 2024, dropping by -39.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 208% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $8,467 per ton in 2023, and then reduced notably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($21,022 per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($1,000 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Singapore (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform