Millet market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The millet market in GCC, measured in physical volume, expanded significantly from 34 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 47.5 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was underpinned by a substantial rise in imports, which increased from 26.5 thousand tonnes to 37 thousand tonnes over the period, while domestic production also more than doubled from 8.3 thousand tonnes to 12.2 thousand tonnes.

Following the 2021 peak, the market volume entered a phase of contraction, declining to 46.9 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 43 thousand tonnes in 2023. In contrast, the market's value demonstrated resilience and continued its upward trajectory, reaching 21.1 million US dollars in 2023 compared to 19 million in 2021, suggesting an influence from higher average prices or changes in the product composition during the latter years.

Production millet in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, millet production in the GCC declined. In 2020, GCC countries produced 11 701 tonnes of millet, which was 8.2% lower than the previous year. Production increased by 45.3% between 2017 and 2020, representing an average annual growth rate of 13.3%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 748 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 53.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in GCC in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of gains, millet production value in the GCC decreased. In 2020, millet output was valued at 7 102 thousand US dollars in the GCC, showing a slight decline of 0.9% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 90%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 23.9%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 7 170 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 68.2% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of production in GCC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports millet from GCC

Exports in kind, t

Millet exports from the GCC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, GCC countries exported 1 720 tonnes of millet, marking a modest rise of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 249.2%, representing an average annual growth rate of 51.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Congo, and India formed the main cluster of markets for millet exports in kind from the GCC. Pakistan accounted for 4.6% of exports in kind, Congo for 3.5%, and India for 1.7%. Together, these three countries represented 9.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Millet exports from the GCC increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 044 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong uptick of 12.1% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 356.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 65.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan, Congo, and Malaysia were the top buyers of millet from the GCC in value terms. Pakistan accounted for 4.9% of exports in value, Congo for 3.7%, and Malaysia for 1.7%. Their combined share reached 10.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports millet to GCC

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, millet imports into the GCC totaled 30 151 tonnes, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 26 502 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 26.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 14.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and Ukraine led the structure of millet imports in kind into the GCC. India accounted for 62.8% of imports in kind, Pakistan for 12.0%, and Ukraine for 6.4%. Together, these three countries represented 81.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of millet imports into the GCC stood at 10 549 thousand US dollars, reflecting a decline of 8.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 936 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 16.7%. The highest value was reached in 2019 at 11 537 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 29.1% occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Pakistan, and the United States consistently remained the main destinations for millet imports in value terms into the GCC. India accounted for 60.6% of imports in value, Pakistan for 8.4%, and the United States for 6.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.0% of total import flows.

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

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