MENA: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in MENA

The MENA's paddy rice market was estimated at $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Paddy Rice Production in MENA

In value terms, paddy rice production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a slight descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Egypt (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of paddy rice production, accounting for 58% of total volume. Moreover, paddy rice production in Egypt exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Turkey (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Egypt totaled -2.2%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-1.8% per year) and Turkey (+1.3% per year).

The average paddy rice yield reduced to X tons per ha in 2021, approximately equating the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 4.8%. Over the period under review, the paddy rice yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of paddy rice were harvested in MENA; standing approx. at 2020 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, overseas shipments of paddy rice increased by 111% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 1,078% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paddy rice exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 654% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the key exporter of paddy rice in MENA, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 43% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together comprising a 53% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Israel (with a CAGR of +16.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) emerged as the largest paddy rice supplier in MENA, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +5.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (-9.5% per year) and Turkey (-8.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, falling by -8.7% against the previous year. Export price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, paddy rice export price decreased by -23.7% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 60% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+19.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paddy Rice Imports

Imports in MENA

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of paddy rice decreased by -34.7% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 30%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paddy rice imports dropped markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Libya (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) represented the main importers of paddy rice in 2021, recording approx. 38% and 34% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Yemen (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together achieving a 24% share of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +24.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Libya ($X) and Yemen ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 88% share of total imports. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 7.9%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +6.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -12.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 13%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform