Saudi Arabia: Rice Market 2025

Rice Market Size in Saudi Arabia

In 2021, the Saudi rice market decreased by -25.1% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Rice Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, rice production amounted to less than $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 74% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of rice in Saudi Arabia stood at X tons per ha in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield saw a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. The rice yield peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the harvested area of rice in Saudi Arabia totaled X ha, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 81%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to rice production attained the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Rice Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2021, approx. X tons of rice were exported from Saudi Arabia; which is down by -60.4% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports faced a significant decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 703%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rice exports declined rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a sharp decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 909% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Benin (X tons) was the main destination for rice exports from Saudi Arabia, accounting for a 42% share of total exports. Moreover, rice exports to Benin exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Somalia (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Nigeria (X tons), with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Benin amounted to -3.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Somalia (-13.7% per year) and Nigeria (-15.8% per year).

In value terms, Somalia ($X), Mauritania ($X) and Benin ($X) were the largest markets for rice exported from Saudi Arabia worldwide, with a combined 43% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Egypt, Djibouti, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, the UK, Turkey, Nigeria, Ghana and Comoros, which together accounted for a further 45%.

Among the main countries of destination, Djibouti, with a CAGR of +129.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average rice export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -42.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Comoros ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Comoros (+27.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rice Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of rice decreased by -26.3% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rice imports fell rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of rice to Saudi Arabia, with a 76% share of total imports. Moreover, rice imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Pakistan (X tons), eightfold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from India was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Pakistan (-1.4% per year) and the United States (-3.3% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of rice to Saudi Arabia, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with an 8.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from India amounted to +1.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-1.7% per year) and Pakistan (-1.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average rice import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the price for Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+3.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :