Brown rice market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The brown rice market in the MENA region showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume grew by over 25% to reach 261.7 thousand tonnes in 2019, but this was followed by a contraction to 221.1 thousand tonnes in 2020.

A steep decline occurred in 2021, with the market size nearly halving to 123.4 thousand tonnes. A recovery phase then took hold, with volume increasing by 34% to 165.4 thousand tonnes in 2022 and a further 15% to 189.7 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production brown rice in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Brown rice production in the MENA region has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 124.3 thousand tons, marking a significant 12.2% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production actually decreased by 11.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 85.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 38.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with production jumping by 29.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports brown rice from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for brown rice from MENA showed considerable volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at just 1.0 thousand tons, which represented an 88.2% decline from the previous year. By 2020, exports had surged to 9.5 thousand tons, a dramatic 353.3% increase compared to 2019. The fluctuation between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was substantial, with a 9.9-fold difference.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, MENA's brown rice exports were distributed across a diverse range of buyers. The top three destinations—Somalia (3.0% of exports in volume), the United Kingdom (2.4%), and India (1.8%)—collectively accounted for only 7.1% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller, yet still notable, shares in the export portfolio.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from MENA in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of brown rice exports from MENA has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export earnings reached 4.8 million US dollars, up 19.1% from 2019. Despite this recent growth, exports declined by 31.8% over the full 2017–2020 period, averaging a 12.0% annual decrease. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3.6 million US dollars, which saw the steepest drop of 49.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, MENA's brown rice exports in value terms were spread across numerous partner countries. The leading destinations—Palestine (4.3% of export value), Somalia (2.6%), and the United Kingdom (2.0%)—together made up just 8.9% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from MENA in value, 2017-2020

Imports brown rice to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, MENA's brown rice imports declined in 2020. Import volume stood at approximately 106.3 thousand tons, a sharp 30.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, however, imports increased by 37.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.3%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 153.1 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, rising by 60.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, MENA's brown rice imports in volume were heavily concentrated among a few key suppliers. India dominated with 52.8% of imports, followed by Thailand at 20.1% and the United States at 10.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to MENA in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year upward trend, MENA's brown rice imports in value terms fell in 2020. Import value amounted to 97.1 million US dollars, down 15.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports grew by 37.3%, averaging an 11.2% annual increase. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 114.6 million US dollars, with the most significant rise occurring in 2018 at 32.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, the primary sources of brown rice imports to MENA in value terms were India (59.4%), the United States (12.4%), and Thailand (11.7%). These three suppliers collectively represented 83.4% of total import value, underscoring their dominant role in the market.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to MENA in value, 2017-2020