United Arab Emirates: Wheat Market 2025

Wheat Market Size in the United Arab Emirates

The wheat market in the United Arab Emirates declined significantly to $X in 2022, which is down by -15.3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption showed a abrupt setback. Wheat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Wheat Exports

Exports from the United Arab Emirates

In 2022, shipments abroad of wheat increased by 42% to X tons, rising for the fourth year in a row after three years of decline. In general, exports saw resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 672% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wheat exports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 295%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X tons) was the main destination for wheat exports from the United Arab Emirates, accounting for a 87% share of total exports. Moreover, wheat exports to Mozambique exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X tons), sevenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Mozambique totaled +29.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+47.2% per year) and Sri Lanka (-72.1% per year).

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for wheat exports from the United Arab Emirates, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 21% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Mozambique amounted to +26.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+58.0% per year) and Sri Lanka (-67.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average wheat export price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -37.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, posted a modest increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 91%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Iran (+26.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Wheat Imports

Imports into the United Arab Emirates

In 2022, the amount of wheat imported into the United Arab Emirates dropped modestly to X tons, with a decrease of -3.8% on 2021 figures. In general, imports recorded a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 29%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wheat imports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 31%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, India (X tons) constituted the largest wheat supplier to the United Arab Emirates, accounting for a 41% share of total imports. Moreover, wheat imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Romania (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Canada (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India stood at +3.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (+23.9% per year) and Canada (-4.6% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of wheat to the United Arab Emirates, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Romania ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from India amounted to +1.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (+21.0% per year) and Canada (-6.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average wheat import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -7.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 19%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from Canada ($X per ton) and Romania ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) and Australia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+16.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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