MENA: Rice Market 2024

Rice Market Size in MENA

The MENA's rice market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2023, after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2023, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Rice Production in MENA

In value terms, rice production totaled $X in 2023 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by X%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of rice production was Egypt (X tons), comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, rice production in Egypt exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), threefold. Turkey (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a X% share.

In Egypt, rice production shrank by an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (X% per year) and Turkey (X% per year).

The average rice yield declined to X tons per ha in 2023, which is down by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of X%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The rice harvested area contracted to X ha in 2023, which is down by X% against 2022 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to rice production attained the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Rice Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2023, exports of rice in MENA skyrocketed to X tons, rising by X% compared with 2022. Total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports decreased by X% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by X%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2023, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rice exports skyrocketed to $X in 2023. Total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports decreased by X% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2023, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together constituting X% of total exports. Lebanon (X tons) and Oman (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Lebanon (with a CAGR of X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Lebanon ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2023, together accounting for X% of total exports.

Lebanon, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Turkey ($X per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) and Lebanon ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (X%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Rice Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2023, overseas purchases of rice increased by X% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rice imports rose modestly to $X in 2023. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2023, Iraq (X tons), distantly followed by Iran (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Yemen (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Djibouti (X tons) represented the main importers of rice, together creating X% of total imports. The following importers - Oman (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Jordan (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) - together made up X% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Djibouti (with a CAGR of X%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iran ($X), Iraq ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, with a combined X% share of total imports. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Djibouti, Algeria and Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Among the main importing countries, Djibouti, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, rising by X% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Djibouti ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform