Middle East: Grain Market 2025

Grain Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern grain market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Grain Production in the Middle East

In value terms, grain production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by X%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of grain production was Turkey (X tons), comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, grain production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), twofold. Iraq (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (X% per year) and Iraq (X% per year).

The average grain yield rose markedly to X tons per ha in 2022, with an increase of X% on 2021. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the grain 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 2022, approx. X ha of cereal grains were harvested in the Middle East; with an increase of X% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by X% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Grain Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cereal grains, when their volume decreased by X% to X tons. In general, exports, however, saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

In value terms, grain exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the key exporter of cereal grains in the Middle East, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near X% of total exports in 2022. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Oman (X tons). All these countries together took near X% share of total exports. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Jordan (X tons) and Iran (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to grain exports from Turkey stood at X%. At the same time, Oman (X%), Syrian Arab Republic (X%), Jordan (X%), Iran (X%) and the United Arab Emirates (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey, Oman and Syrian Arab Republic increased by X, X and X percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) emerged as the largest grain supplier in the Middle East, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a X% share.

In Turkey, grain exports expanded at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (X% per year) and Oman (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by X% against the previous year. Export price indicated modest 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. Based on 2022 figures, grain export price increased by X% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Iran ($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 more modest paces of growth.

Grain Imports

Imports in the Middle East

Grain imports dropped modestly to X tons in 2022, falling by X% against 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, grain imports expanded to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value 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. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Iran (X tons) represented roughly X% of total imports in 2022. Yemen (X tons) held a X% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Israel (X%), the United Arab Emirates (X%) and Jordan (X%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of X%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Iran ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for X% of total imports.

Turkey, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Iran ($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 more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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