Browse Data and Analysis

Wheat and barley production is expected to decline due to heat stress and insufficient rainfall. Post forecasts MY 2023/24 wheat and barley production at 800,000 MT and 220,000 MT, respectively, with imports at 2.2 MMT and 900,000 MT.

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arab world and home to a growing food manufacturing and processing sector. Total investments in the sector are projected to reach $70 billion in 2030, an increase of approximately 59% over total investments in 2016.

The United Arab Emirates' food processing sector continues to expand, bolstered by strong economic growth and local demand. There are over 568 food and beverage processors and manufacturers in the UAE, most of which are small to medium size.

The 2023 crop season in Morocco is advancing under favorable weather conditions, showing promising recovery from the previous year’s drought. Post forecasts MY 2023/24 production at 2.45 MMT for common wheat, 1.35 MMT for durum wheat, and 1.75 MMT for barley.

Strong tourism, high petroleum rents, and an accompanying economic boom in the United Arab Emirates are forecast to grow the consumptive base and drive imports of wheat and rice higher in the coming marketing year.

FAS Cairo (Post) forecasts Egypt’s wheat imports in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 (July – June) to increase by almost 2.9 percent from the previous marketing year due to population growth.

With over 1,800 facilities, the Israeli food processing sector is an important player in the domestic economy. In 2021, Israeli food processors' annual revenue stood at $21.23 billion while the beverage and tobacco industry's annual revenue was $2.67 billion.

Recent available data indicates that Saudi Arabia imported approximately 2.7 million metric tons (MMT) of barley in the first six months of MY 2022/23 (July – December 2022), an increase of approximately 11% compared to the same period last year (2.46 MMT).

Post forecasts MY 2023/24 wheat production at 3.3 million metric tons (MMT) and barley production at 1.4 MMT, in line with the previous season as climatic conditions are similar.

Morocco’s food processing sector plays an essential role in the Moroccan economy, accounting for 6 percent of Moroccan GDP and benefits from excellent infrastructure, world-class manufacturing facilities, and convenient access to neighboring African markets.

FAS Tel Aviv (Post) forecasts Israel’s wheat imports to reach 1.70 million metric tons (MMT) in marketing year (MY) 2023/24, a 2.8 percent decrease from Post’s MY 2022/23 figure.

Israel's reform to decentralize the control on toiletries and food will impact the import of processed food products.