Middle East: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, the Middle Eastern rice market decreased by -10.3% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Rice Production in the Middle East

In value terms, rice production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Iran (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Iraq (X tons), with a combined 100% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +1.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average rice yield was estimated at X tons per ha in 2021, remaining stable against 2020. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 12%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The rice harvested area contracted to X ha in 2021, waning by -8.7% on the year before. In general, the harvested area saw a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 30%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the rice harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Rice Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, overseas shipments of rice were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports enjoyed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 108%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a notable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 67%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) dominates exports structure, together committing 85% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Israel (X tons), committing a 6.4% share of total exports. The following exporters - Lebanon (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - together made up 6.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Lebanon (with a CAGR of +53.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rice supplying countries in the Middle East were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Israel ($X), together comprising 91% of total exports. Lebanon and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 6%.

Lebanon, with a CAGR of +41.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Rice Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, purchases abroad of rice decreased by -5.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rice imports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a slight downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the five major importers of rice, namely Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), making up a 5.2% share of total imports. The following importers - Oman (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) - each amounted to a 6.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Yemen (with a CAGR of +6.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), Iraq ($X) and Iran ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 54% of total imports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Turkey and Kuwait, which together accounted for a further 32%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +6.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a mild setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :