MENA: Soya Bean Market 2025

Soya Bean Market Size in MENA

For the fifth consecutive year, the MENA's soya bean market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 83% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed prominent growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Soya Bean Production in MENA

In value terms, soya bean production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 83% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together comprising 89% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +14.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average yield of soya beans in MENA expanded to X tons per ha, surging by 1.6% compared with 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 21%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the soya bean harvested area in MENA fell modestly to X ha, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to soya bean production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Soya Bean Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, the amount of soya beans exported in MENA expanded rapidly to X tons, growing by 12% against 2020. Overall, exports saw a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 737% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, soya bean exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 656%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the major exporter of soya beans in MENA, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 74% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), committing a 26% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to soya bean exports from Turkey stood at +24.3%. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+26.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +26.1% from 2012-2021. The United Arab Emirates (+3.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest soya bean supplier in MENA, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

In Turkey, soya bean exports expanded at an average annual rate of +21.5% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight shrinkage. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+2.6%).

Soya Bean Imports

Imports in MENA

For the fifth consecutive year, MENA recorded growth in purchases abroad of soya beans, which increased by 76% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports showed a remarkable increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, soya bean imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +30.3% against 2018 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons) was the key importer of soya beans, generating 62% of total imports. Turkey (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Iran (10%) and Algeria (5.3%). Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to soya bean imports into Egypt stood at +23.2%. At the same time, Algeria (+46.2%), Iran (+28.9%), Turkey (+8.5%), Saudi Arabia (+2.8%) and Tunisia (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Algeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +46.2% from 2012-2021. While the share of Egypt (+26 p.p.), Iran (+6.4 p.p.) and Algeria (+4.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Tunisia (-6.3 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (-7.5 p.p.) and Turkey (-10.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Egypt ($X), Turkey ($X) and Iran ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 76% of total imports. Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Among the main importing countries, Algeria, with a CAGR of +54.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -23.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria (+5.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform