Middle East: Buckwheat Market 2025

Buckwheat Market Size in the Middle East

For the third year in a row, the Middle Eastern buckwheat market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 17% to $X in 2022. The total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +76.7% against 2017 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Buckwheat Production in the Middle East

In value terms, buckwheat production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 230% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of buckwheat production was the United Arab Emirates (X tons), accounting for 90% of total volume. Moreover, buckwheat production in the United Arab Emirates exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Saudi Arabia (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a 2.7% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, buckwheat production increased at an average annual rate of +24.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+18.6% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-1.6% per year).

Buckwheat Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, after eight years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of buckwheat, when their volume decreased by -26.6% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 903%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, buckwheat exports dropped dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 841% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 96% of total exports in 2022. Yemen (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the buckwheat exports, with a CAGR of +45.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Yemen (+36.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Yemen (-1.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest buckwheat supplier in the Middle East, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Yemen ($X), with a 1.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +53.9%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 4.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed a measured expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 261%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat 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 Yemen amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+6.2%).

Buckwheat Imports

Imports in the Middle East

Buckwheat imports reached X tons in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +19.8% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, buckwheat imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports enjoyed buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 42%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Israel was the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 58% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together mixing up a 32% share of total imports. The following importers - Yemen (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) - together made up 7.4% of total imports.

Imports into Israel increased at an average annual rate of +16.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Yemen (+43.7%), Oman (+18.8%), Bahrain (+12.1%), the United Arab Emirates (+3.9%) and Kuwait (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Yemen emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +43.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Turkey (-3.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Israel, Oman and Yemen increased by +29, +3.8 and +3.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Israel ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported buckwheat in the Middle East, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 9.9% share.

In Israel, buckwheat imports increased at an average annual rate of +20.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+7.8% per year) and Turkey (-2.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, surging by 19% against the previous year. Import price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, buckwheat import price increased by +72.9% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Israel ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+10.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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