Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Kuwait demonstrated relative stability in volume between 2018 and 2020, with annual market size hovering around 310 thousand metric tons. During these years, the market was influenced by persistent inflationary pressures and rising prices, stemming from global food stock reductions and local economic conditions, which affected consumer spending power but did not drastically alter physical consumption volumes. The state-owned Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company played a central role in the market, collaborating with government bodies to manage supplies and price stability.

Market volume contracted to 294 thousand metric tons in 2022, a decline linked by Central Bank reports to high inflation directly impacting demand for staple goods like flour. A strong recovery followed in 2023, with the market expanding to 330 thousand metric tons. This growth was supported by continued national food security policies, including the management of strategic wheat reserves and efforts to secure stable import channels, which bolstered domestic supply and consumption.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Kuwait

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

Kuwait's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, output reached 387.1 thousand tons, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 387.4 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 6.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Kuwait stood at 243.4 million US dollars, showing no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the production value grew by 11%, corresponding to an average annual increase of 3.5%. The peak value was achieved in 2019 at 243.5 million US dollars, while the most substantial year-on-year growth occurred in 2018 at 9.5%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

Kuwait's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals totaled 82 596 tons in 2020, representing a moderate decline of 4.3% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 79 053 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 86 323 tons. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 9.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia dominated Kuwait's export structure in kind, accounting for 84.9% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Kuwait's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports were valued at 51 939 thousand US dollars, marking a 4.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 4.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 49 315 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 54 258 thousand US dollars. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the primary destination for Kuwait's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms, absorbing 84.7% of total export value. Other trading partners accounted for relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 4 728 tons, while imports peaked in 2017, creating a 10.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Kuwait imported 7 377 tons of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, representing a robust increase of 12.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 90.4%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 38.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates formed the core group of suppliers for Kuwait's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports in kind. Australia accounted for 66.6% of imports, Turkey for 11.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 90.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited significant volatility during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 051 thousand US dollars, while imports peaked in 2017, creating a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kuwait's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports were valued at 4 491 thousand US dollars, representing a strong increase of 17.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 75.3%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 25.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey were Kuwait's primary suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms. Australia accounted for 41.6% of import value, the United Arab Emirates for 18.3%, and Turkey for 15.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 75.4% of total import value.

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

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