Middle East: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in the Middle East

After two years of growth, the Middle Eastern lentil market decreased by -16.1% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lentil Production in the Middle East

In value terms, lentil production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of lentil production, comprising approx. 57% of total volume. Moreover, lentil production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), threefold. Iran (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey stood at -3.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Syrian Arab Republic (-2.9% per year) and Iran (+1.3% per year).

The average lentil yield surged to X tons per ha in 2022, picking up by 30% on 2021 figures. Overall, the yield, however, showed a mild reduction. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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 lentils production in the Middle East contracted to X ha, which is down by -4.4% against the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 12%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the lentil harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lentil Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, exports of lentils in the Middle East skyrocketed to X tons, jumping by 52% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 63%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lentil exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 79% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) represented the major exporter of lentils, achieving 77% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), generating a 20% share of total exports. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +9.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+17.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +17.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-6.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates increased by +9.7 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest lentil supplier in the Middle East, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 15% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey amounted to +12.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+16.7% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-9.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, surging by 11% against the previous year. Export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lentil export price increased by +59.5% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($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 (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Lentil Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, purchases abroad of lentils decreased by -4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lentil imports fell to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 57%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Turkey represented the key importer of lentils in the Middle East, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 47% of total imports in 2022. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 30% share, followed by Iraq (7%). The following importers - Iran (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) - each recorded an 8.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +19.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lentils in the Middle East, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 25% share of total imports. It was followed by Iraq, with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey totaled +14.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+13.8% per year) and Iraq (+4.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Turkey ($X per ton) and Iraq ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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