Middle East: Soya Bean Market 2025

Soya Bean Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, the Middle Eastern soya bean market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Soya Bean Production in the Middle East

In value terms, soya bean production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +9.9% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 92% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together accounting for 99% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +14.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average soya bean yield reached X tons per ha in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 25%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The soya bean harvested area totaled X ha in 2021, picking up by 1.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 8.4%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to soya bean production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Soya Bean Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Soya bean exports rose notably to X tons in 2021, growing by 12% compared with 2020. In general, exports enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 733% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, soya bean exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 658% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 74% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), comprising a 26% share of total exports.

Exports from Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +24.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+26.1%) 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 +26.1% from 2012-2021. The United Arab Emirates (+3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest soya bean supplier in the Middle East, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

In Turkey, soya bean exports increased at an average annual rate of +21.5% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 28% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a mild setback. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+2.6%).

Soya Bean Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, purchases abroad of soya beans decreased by -2.9% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports, however, recorded a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, soya bean imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Turkey (X tons) and Iran (X tons) were the main importers of soya beans in the Middle East, together making up 80% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by Israel (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 18% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Iran (with a CAGR of +28.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Iran ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 92% share of total imports.

Iran, with a CAGR of +26.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, rising by 37% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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