Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in the United Arab Emirates experienced notable volume shifts between 2018 and 2023. After declining to 907 thousand tons in 2020, the market recovered strongly to reach 1 124 thousand tons in 2022, before a slight moderation to 1 069 thousand tons in 2023. This rebound was primarily supported by a significant expansion of domestic production capacity, spurred by the launch of the large-scale wheat farm project in Sharjah's Mleiha area in 2022, which aimed to cultivate 1 400 hectares. The development and distribution of the resilient 'Sharjah 1' wheat variety, alongside integrated agricultural technologies that boosted yields, contributed directly to higher output.

Concurrently, the UAE's strategic overseas agricultural investments in countries such as Egypt and Ethiopia enhanced import supply chains, facilitating increased grain and flour inflows that lifted market volume in 2021 and 2022. Government directives to establish Dubai's major food market and develop a global food trade logistics zone further improved distribution infrastructure, strengthening market access and internal trade flows for cereals and flour products.

National food security initiatives, including the 'Emirates Wheat' program involving over 200 local farms, provided sustained support for domestic cultivation throughout the period. These combined efforts helped raise domestic production from 742 thousand tons in 2021 to 1 028 thousand tons in 2023, offsetting some volatility in trade and supporting overall market volume.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in the United Arab Emirates

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

Following two years of growth, wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in the United Arab Emirates declined. In 2019, output reached its peak at 978.1 K t, but by 2020 it had fallen to 798.6 K t, marking a significant decrease of 18.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 38.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.6%. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production surged by 68.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in the United Arab Emirates declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, the value of output peaked at 415.2 M $ US, but by 2020 it had dropped to 364.8 M $ US, representing a 9.6% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 17%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a growth of 33.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a threefold variation between these years. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates exported 117.8 K t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, which was a 33.1% decline from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 176.2 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 86.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Yemen, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia—collectively accounted for 52.6% of the United Arab Emirates' total exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the United Arab Emirates' wheat and meslin flour and cereals export value declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 72 708 K $ US, but by 2020 they had fallen to 53 825 K $ US, a sharp decrease of 26.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 70.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a 56.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from the United Arab Emirates in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. Yemen (18.9% of exports), Saudi Arabia (15.7%), and Somalia (13.2%) together accounted for 47.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

The United Arab Emirates' wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 226.7 K t, a slight uptick of 1.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and India remained the primary sources for imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 80.1% of total flows, while other partners held significantly smaller shares.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates' wheat and meslin flour and cereals import value totalled 65 025 K $ US, down by 1.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 6.3%, with a CAGR of 2.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 60 137 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 66 060 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 1.7% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 9.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (39.7% of imports in value terms), India (28.1%), and Turkey (4.8%) emerged as the main markets for imports, together representing 72.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020