GCC: Grain Market 2025

Grain Market Size in GCC

The GCC grain market surged to $X in 2022, jumping by X% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Grain Production in GCC

In value terms, grain production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by X%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together comprising X% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of X%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average grain yield amounted to X tons per ha in 2022, increasing by X% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, the yield recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the grain yield hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of cereal grains were harvested in GCC; approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Grain Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, overseas shipments of cereal grains decreased by X% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, grain exports declined significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the key exporter of cereal grains in GCC, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near X% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), making up a X% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to grain exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at X%. At the same time, Oman (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Oman increased by X percentage points.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest grain supplier in GCC, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with an X% share of total exports.

In the United Arab Emirates, grain exports increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, picking up by X% against the previous year. Export price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Oman totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (X%).

Grain Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, imports of cereal grains in GCC rose notably to X tons, picking up by X% on 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, grain imports rose notably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the key importer of cereal grains in GCC, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. X% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together generating a X% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Saudi Arabia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of cereal grains. At the same time, Kuwait (X%), Oman (X%) and Qatar (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2022. The United Arab Emirates experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Kuwait and Oman increased by X and X percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cereal grains in GCC, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a X% share.

In Saudi Arabia, grain imports contracted by an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (X% per year) and Kuwait (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (X%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform