Saudi Arabia: Cereals Market Overview 2021

Cereals Market Size in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi cereals market shrank slightly to $X in 2019, falling by -X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Cereals consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cereals Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, cereals production declined to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production showed a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.

In 2019, the average cereals yield in Saudi Arabia reduced modestly to X tonnes per ha, approximately reflecting the year before. Overall, the yield showed a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tonnes per ha. From 2011 to 2019, the growth of the average cereals yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, the total area harvested in terms of cereals production in Saudi Arabia shrank to X ha, which is down by -X% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cereals production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, the harvested area failed to regain the momentum.

Cereals Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2019, overseas shipments of cereals decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, exports saw a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. Exports peaked at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, exports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, cereals exports shrank modestly to $X in 2019. In general, exports saw a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Yemen (X tonnes), Comoros (X tonnes) and India (X tonnes) were the main destinations of cereals exports from Saudi Arabia, together accounting for X% of total exports. These countries were followed by Sudan, Bahrain, Somalia, Bangladesh, the UK, Benin, Kuwait, Turkey and Lebanon, which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Turkey (+X% per year), while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cereals exported from Saudi Arabia were Yemen ($X), Comoros ($X) and India ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports. Bahrain, the UK, Lebanon, Somalia, Bangladesh, Sudan, Kuwait, Turkey and Benin lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X (+X% per year) saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cereals export price stood at $X per tonne in 2018, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated measured growth from 2007 to 2018: its price 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 2018 figures, cereals export price increased by +X% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, average export prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2018, export prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2018, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Benin ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cereals Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2019, approx. X tonnes of cereals were imported into Saudi Arabia; with a decrease of -X% compared with 2018. In general, imports showed a perceptible reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tonnes. From 2018 to 2019, the growth imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cereals imports shrank modestly to $X in 2019. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Argentina (X tonnes), the U.S. (X tonnes) and Brazil (X tonnes) were the main suppliers of cereals imports to Saudi Arabia, together accounting for X% of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, Canada, Latvia and Lithuania, which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cereals suppliers to Saudi Arabia were the U.S. ($X), Argentina ($X) and Brazil ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Canada, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, which together accounted for a further X terms of the main suppliers, Poland recorded 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 2018, the average cereals import price amounted to $X per tonne, increasing by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when the average import price increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2012 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per tonne), while the price for Brazil ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for cereals in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of cereals consumption in 2019 were China (645M tonnes), the U.S. (405M tonnes) and India (324M tonnes), with a combined 45% share of global consumption. Indonesia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Russia, Mexico and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

What are the largest producers of cereals in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of cereals production in 2019 were China (628M tonnes), the U.S. (473M tonnes) and India (324M tonnes), with a combined 47% share of global production. Indonesia, Russia, Brazil, Ukraine, Argentina, France, Bangladesh, Canada and Viet Nam lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

What are the leading suppliers of cereals to Saudi Arabia?

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In value terms, the U.S. ($315M), Argentina ($230M) and Brazil ($103M) appeared to be the largest cereals suppliers to Saudi Arabia, with a combined 34% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Canada, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, which together accounted for a further 7%.

What are the leading importers of cereals from Saudi Arabia?

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In value terms, Yemen ($727K), Comoros ($375K) and India ($287K) were the largest markets for cereals exported from Saudi Arabia worldwide, with a combined 60% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Bahrain, the UK, Lebanon, Somalia, Bangladesh, Sudan, Kuwait, Turkey and Benin, which together accounted for a further 32%.

What is the average export price for cereals in Saudi Arabia?

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The average cereals export price stood at $753 per tonne in 2018, surging by 43% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for cereals in Saudi Arabia?

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In 2018, the average cereals import price amounted to $232 per tonne, growing by 36% against the previous year.