Middle East: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern paddy rice market decreased by less than 0.1% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paddy Rice Production in the Middle East

In value terms, paddy rice production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 66%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Iran (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Iraq (X tons), together accounting for 100% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Iraq (with a CAGR of +2.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average paddy rice yield shrank to X tons per ha in 2022, almost unchanged from the year before. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 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 paddy rice production in the Middle East expanded modestly to X ha, increasing by 4.7% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the paddy rice harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of paddy rice exported in the Middle East expanded to X tons, with an increase of 4.4% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 1,032%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paddy rice exports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 561% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the key exporter of paddy rice in the Middle East, comprising 79% of total export. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), creating a 7.7% share of total exports. Kuwait (X tons), Israel (X tons) and Iran (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kuwait (with a CAGR of +18.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Turkey ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 79% share of total exports. Oman, Kuwait, Iran and Israel lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +19.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 78%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while Israel ($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 (+15.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paddy Rice Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, purchases abroad of paddy rice decreased by -37.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports showed a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 59% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paddy rice imports reduced dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 72%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Yemen (X tons) represented the key importer of paddy rice, comprising 54% of total imports. Turkey (X tons) took a 20% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the United Arab Emirates (14%) and Saudi Arabia (9.7%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to paddy rice imports into Yemen stood at +9.2%. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+19.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +19.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-9.4%) and Turkey (-23.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia increased by +48, +13 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Yemen ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported paddy rice in the Middle East, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with an 18% share.

In Yemen, paddy rice imports increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (-8.6% per year) and Turkey (-22.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 19% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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