Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The physical volume of the wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in the GCC expanded from 4.5 million tons in 2018 to 5.2 million tons in 2023. After a slight contraction in 2020, consumption growth accelerated, with the most pronounced increases occurring in 2022 and 2023.

In value terms, the market displayed significant fluctuations: it declined to $2.6 billion in 2020 before rebounding sharply to $5.0 billion in 2023. This recovery and subsequent growth resulted in a market value nearly double that of the 2020 low.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

GCC's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 4,795 thousand tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 4,580 thousand tons, representing a controlled decline of 4.5%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 8.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

GCC's production value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1,841 million US dollars, marking a 5.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,153 million US dollars. That same year saw the largest increase of 21.3%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 9.6%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from GCC declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 519.6 thousand tons, but by 2020 they had fallen to 495.9 thousand tons, representing a drop of 4.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 44.9%, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 13.2%. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when exports rose by 40.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Yemen, Somalia, and Iraq were the leading destinations for GCC's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in volume terms. Yemen accounted for 32.3% of exports, Somalia for 26.0%, and Iraq for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented 59.9% 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, GCC's wheat and meslin flour and cereals export value declined. In 2019, exports reached their highest value at 211.0 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had decreased to 199.3 million US dollars, marking a controlled loss of 5.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 36.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.9%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when exports rose by 21.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Yemen, Somalia, and Iraq formed the key group of partners for GCC's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms. Yemen accounted for 29.0% of export value, Somalia for 19.2%, and Iraq for 2.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 50.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into GCC increased. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 336.6 thousand tons, but by 2020 they had risen to 493.7 thousand tons, amounting to a significant increase of 46.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 40.1%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals into GCC were relatively evenly distributed among suppliers. Australia accounted for 27.9% of imports in volume, India for 12.0%, and Turkey for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.0% of total import flows, indicating a diversified supply structure.

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, M $ US

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into GCC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 204.8 million US dollars, which is 7.1% higher compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 189.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 27.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Australia, and Lebanon formed the largest group of suppliers for wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into GCC in value terms. India accounted for 13.3% of import value, Australia for 13.0%, and Lebanon for 8.1%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 34.3% of total imports, reflecting a highly diversified country structure.

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

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