Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Western Asia grew from 28,524 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 32,232 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was driven by broader consumption trends linked to urbanization and the spread of modern retail chains, which raised demand for packaged wheat products like bread and pasta. New milling capacity entered the region, such as in Indonesia where several flour mills were planned, enhancing local production. Consumer shifts toward protein- and fiber-rich wheat products also stimulated product innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further boosted demand for staple foods, while some West Asian countries increased wheat imports to offset local production shortfalls.

Market volume stabilized around 32,100–32,200 thousand tonnes between 2021 and 2022. During this period, changes in customs and tax policies in key importing nations affected domestic wheat prices. Globally, export restrictions by major suppliers like Russia and India, alongside fluctuations in natural gas and fertilizer costs, tightened worldwide supply and contributed to price volatility, yet regional consumption levels remained steady.

In 2023, the market increased slightly to 32,440 thousand tonnes, aided by rising demand for high-quality, high-protein wheat in the food industry. Factors noted for 2024 included Russia's export quota for wheat and ongoing adjustments to agricultural support policies in the Asia-Pacific region, which are influencing trade flows and availability.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Western Asia

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

Western Asia's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2020, the region produced 31 485 K t, representing a 1.7% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 5.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.9%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 32 029 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 3.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, the value of Western Asia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production declined. In 2020, output was valued at 30 318 M $ US, marking a gradual 9.0% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 33 301 M $ US, and the largest annual increase happened in 2018 at 17.5%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia's export volume of wheat and meslin flour and cereals reached 1 564 K t, showing an abrupt 52.4% reduction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 53.6%, averaging an annualized decline of 22.6%. The largest increase during this period was recorded in 2019 at 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Somalia (5.4% of exports in kind), Angola (5.0%), and Benin (2.4%) were significant buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Western Asia. However, their combined share accounted for only 12.9% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 87.1% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year advance, foreign supplies of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Western Asia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 1 209 M $ US, reflecting a gradual 9.6% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 2.4%, with an annualized rate of decline of 0.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 337 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred that same year at 7.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Somalia (4.9% of exports in value terms), Angola (4.8%), and Benin (2.3%) formed the largest group of buyers for wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Western Asia. Their combined contribution was limited to 12.1% of total exports in value terms, indicating a diversified country structure with many other partners involved.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Western Asia imported 2 311 K t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in 2020, a 5.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 836 K t, while the highest was in 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 47.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 160.9%, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.8 times between 2018 and 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in kind was scattered: Australia (4.6% of imports in kind), Iran (4.4%), and Egypt (3.5%) together accounted for just 12.4% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Western Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 040 M $ US, showing negligible variation compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%.

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

In 2017–2020, the supplier portfolio for wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Western Asia was broad. Egypt (4.0% of imports in value terms), Iran (3.2%), and Ukraine (3.0%) together contributed only 10.2% of total imports in value terms, while many other countries held smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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