Middle East: Durum Wheat Market 2025

Durum Wheat Market Size in the Middle East

After two years of decline, the Middle Eastern durum wheat market increased by 2.6% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Durum Wheat Production in the Middle East

In value terms, durum wheat production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Iraq (X tons), together comprising 91% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +5.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average durum wheat yield expanded notably to X tons per ha in 2022, growing by 6.1% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the durum wheat yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, 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 2022, the total area harvested in terms of durum wheat production in the Middle East expanded to X ha, picking up by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 5% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Durum Wheat Exports

Exports in the Middle East

After three years of growth, shipments abroad of durum wheat decreased by -14.3% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 105% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, durum wheat exports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 236%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Iran (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) represented the largest exporters of durum wheat in 2022, amounting to near 40% and 35% of total exports, respectively. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by Lebanon (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 21% share of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +105.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest durum wheat supplier in the Middle East, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Iran, with an 18% share.

In Turkey, durum wheat exports increased at an average annual rate of +100.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Syrian Arab Republic (+17.8% per year) and Iran (-0.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Export price indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, durum wheat export price increased by +41.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 64%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Durum Wheat Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, overseas purchases of durum wheat decreased by -10.9% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports showed a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 26%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, durum wheat imports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 45% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Jordan (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Yemen (X tons), together making up a 44% share of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Saudi Arabia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the durum wheat imports, with a CAGR of +188.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kuwait (+20.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. The United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Jordan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Turkey (-3.9%) and Yemen (-15.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+45 p.p.), Lebanon (+3.3 p.p.), Jordan (+3.3 p.p.) and Kuwait (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Yemen saw its share reduced by -37.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported durum wheat in the Middle East, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Jordan ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Lebanon, with a 15% share.

In Saudi Arabia, durum wheat imports increased at an average annual rate of +132.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Jordan (+0.3% per year) and Lebanon (-0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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