Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Jordan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Jordan's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals was shaped by contrasting forces. Early in the period, the conversion of agricultural land to other uses and the lack of protective legislation undermined wheat cultivation, contributing to a production decline in 2019. That year, wheat production was reported to have halted due to climatic and policy-related factors. However, in 2020, substantial government subsidies for wheat and barley, aimed at price stabilization, alongside rising consumption driven by population growth, helped reverse the trend and lift production.

The recovery continued into 2021 and 2022, supported by the expansion of wheat cultivation in desert areas using modern irrigation systems, which boosted yields. At the same time, growth in Jordan's industrial sector, including packaging and engineering, indicated broader capacity expansion in processing lines. Despite rising production, the domestic market size remained flat or slightly contracted as increased exports of flour and cereals offset gains in output.

In 2023, production fell sharply to 913 thousand tons, leading to a reduction in market size to 870 thousand tons. This decline marked a significant departure from the previous years' expansion.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Jordan

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

After a two-year decline, Jordan's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 977.5 thousand tons, marking a moderate increase of 3.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 943.5 thousand tons, which represented the largest decline of 2.6% during this period.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Jordan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Jordan totaled 28 890 tons, representing a significant drop of 36.8% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 678 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a growth of 143.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two key markets—Syria and Iraq—dominated Jordan's exports in kind, together accounting for 99.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Jordan totaled 14 704 thousand US dollars, down by 9.0% year-over-year. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 16 153 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a growth of 143.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure of exports in value terms relied mainly on Syria and Iraq, which together accounted for 99.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Jordan

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign supplies of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Jordan amounted to 5 741 tons, down by 31.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a growth of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (52.3% of imports in kind), Oman (8.2% of imports in kind), and Turkey (7.7% of imports in kind) were the key partners for Jordan's imports in kind, together accounting for 68.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports to Jordan declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 3 135 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sharp decrease of 28.5% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 38.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (54.3% of imports in value terms), Oman (7.5% of imports in value terms), and Turkey (6.6% of imports in value terms) continued to lead as the main suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Jordan, jointly accounting for 68.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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