Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Saudi Arabia increased from 2.8 million tons in 2018 to 3.3 million tons in 2023, while the overall market volume grew from 3.0 million tons to 3.4 million tons over the same period. This growth was particularly pronounced in 2023, when a sharp rise in domestic wheat purchases and the commissioning of new milling projects in Al-Jumum, Jazan, Al-Ahsa, and Al-Kharj significantly boosted daily grinding capacity.

The Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization (GSFMO) played a central role in securing wheat supplies for millers, especially after local wheat production contracted in 2018 due to reduced incentive prices and crop diversification. By diversifying import sources away from the European Union to suppliers such as Russia, Ukraine, and Brazil, the kingdom obtained more competitively priced wheat, which supported steady output expansion. After a period of stabilization in 2020, production resumed its upward trajectory.

In 2024, the market saw two major developments: the GSFMO permitted flour exports with full subsidy recovery, lifting share prices of milling companies, and new storage silos in Mecca (250 000 t capacity) plus two additional mills in Jazan and Al-Kharj (600 t/day each) were launched, further raising the industry’s potential output.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Saudi Arabia was among the world's leading producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020, ranking 28th globally by production volume.

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 two years of growth, wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Saudi Arabia declined. In 2020, the country produced 2 857 K t, showing minimal change from the 2 864 K t recorded in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 4.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Saudi Arabia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2.0 K t, reflecting a sharp 91.6% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 175.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 40.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen consistently accounted for 74.8% of Saudi Arabia's total wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in volume, indicating high market concentration. The remaining exports were distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.5 M $ US, showing a 16.1% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 97.9%, equating to a 25.6% annualized rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates accounted for the majority of Saudi Arabia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms, while other markets represented a smaller share.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Saudi Arabia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 168.3 K t, representing a 12.1% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40%, with an annualized decline of 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait (39.2% of imports in volume), the United Arab Emirates (18.6%), and Lebanon (11.6%) were the principal sources for Saudi Arabia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports, together accounting for 69.4% of total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Saudi Arabia increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 96.7 M $ US, equivalent to a solid 10.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40.8%, with an annualized decline of 16.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 87.6 M $ US, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 42.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait (39.4% of imports in value), the United Arab Emirates (18.1%), and Lebanon (15.3%) were the main suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Saudi Arabia, together comprising 72.8% of total import value.

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

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