Agriculture in the MENA Region Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The agriculture market size in the MENA region is anticipated to grow steadily over the forecast period, driven by factors such as population growth and rising incomes. The region's diverse environments support a variety of crops, with water-efficient irrigation enabling the production of high-value cash and export crops. However, challenges such as high dependence on international markets for staple foods, land reform issues, and farm labor shortages, particularly for high-value crops, pose constraints to agricultural expansion. Despite these challenges, the strategic use of agricultural resources, adoption of new technologies, and supportive policies are expected to be pivotal in shaping the market's growth trajectory.

Market Size of Agriculture in the MENA Region

MENA Agriculture Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Forecast Data Period 2024 - 2029
Historical Data Period 2019 - 2022
CAGR 5.70 %

Major Players

Agriculture in the MENA Region Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

MENA Agriculture Market Analysis

The agriculture market in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region is projected to record a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period.

  • The Middle East and North Africa region comprise 14 low and middle-income countries or territories stretching from Iran to Morocco. In 2022, the region had a population of 486.1 million people, and about 165.3 million lived in rural areas. Of these, about 89 million depend on agriculture, including fishing and livestock. The region covers an area of 1,200 million hectares and includes diverse environments.
  • Rainfed crops are grown during the wetter winter period, while irrigated areas are cultivated year-round. The main rainfed crops are wheat, barley, legumes, olives, grapes, fruit, and vegetables. A wide range of subtropical crops, including fruit and vegetables, is also grown under irrigation in summer.
  • Livestock, mainly sheep and goats, are an important feature of many farming systems and provide key linkages between and within the different systems. Water-efficient irrigation is expanding and enabling intensive production of high-value cash and export crops, including fruits and vegetables.
  • A dominant concern in the MENA region is its high and growing dependence on the international markets for key staple food products as arable land and water grow scarcer. The governments of various countries have taken steps to conserve water by banning the production of water-thirsty crops, such as wheat and green fodder. Food demand is increasing in the MENA region, mainly for two key reasons: population growth and rising incomes.
  • According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the land reform issue remains one of the most intractable, as many people hold onto their fragmented holdings without any rationalization or consolidation processes in place, even where countries are officially undertaking land reforms. The only places where there have been major changes are where larger operators can buy out smaller farmers. It is widely recognized that reorganizing land holdings is a prerequisite for introducing technologies to conserve soil and water resources in the long run. Thus, the proper use of agricultural resources, new technology, and favorable policies are expected to be crucial in driving the region's agriculture sector during the forecast period.
  • The increased consumption of healthy and nutritional diets enhanced the consumption of cereals and fruits in the region. However, the lower GDP of African region countries, and farm labor shortages, especially for high-value crops, are major constraints to the growth of agriculture in the region.

MENA Agriculture Industry Segmentation

Agriculture is the science or practice of farming, including the cultivation of the soil to grow crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products. 

The report includes production analysis (volume), consumption analysis (value and volume), export analysis (value and volume), import analysis (value and volume), and price trend analysis for each of the abovementioned segments. 

The report offers market estimation and forecasts in value (USD million) and volume (metric ton) for the abovementioned segments.

Food Crops/Cereals
Production Analysis
Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)
Import Analysis (Value & Volume)
Export Analysis (Value & Volume)
Price Trend Analysis
Fruits
Production Analysis
Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)
Import Analysis (Value & Volume)
Export Analysis (Value & Volume)
Price Trend Analysis
Vegetables
Production Analysis
Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)
Import Analysis (Value & Volume)
Export Analysis (Value & Volume)
Price Trend Analysis
Oilseeds/Non-food Crops
Production Analysis
Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)
Import Analysis (Value & Volume)
Export Analysis (Value & Volume)
Price Trend Analysis
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Agriculture in the MENA Region Size Summary

The agriculture market in the MENA region is experiencing a notable growth trajectory, driven by a combination of factors including population growth, rising incomes, and the increasing demand for food. The region, characterized by its diverse environments and reliance on both rainfed and irrigated agriculture, is focusing on enhancing its agricultural productivity to reduce dependency on international food markets. Key crops include wheat, barley, olives, and a variety of fruits and vegetables, with livestock such as sheep and goats playing a significant role in the farming systems. The expansion of water-efficient irrigation techniques is facilitating the production of high-value cash crops, which are crucial for both domestic consumption and export. However, challenges such as land reform issues, water scarcity, and the need for technological advancements remain significant hurdles that the region must overcome to sustain its agricultural growth.

Efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency are central to the region's agricultural strategy, with countries like Qatar and Morocco implementing initiatives to boost local production. The "Made in Qatar" initiative, for example, has successfully increased the production of greenhouse-grown fruits and vegetables, while Morocco has leveraged large-scale and small-scale farming to combat hunger and poverty. Egypt stands out as a leading producer and exporter of fruits and vegetables, with significant investments aimed at enhancing agricultural output through integrated development projects. The focus on value-added crops, such as those grown in greenhouses, underscores the region's strategic shift towards maximizing the use of scarce water resources. As the MENA region continues to invest in modern agricultural practices and policies, it is poised to strengthen its agricultural sector and address the challenges of food security and import dependency.

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Agriculture in the MENA Region Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 1.1 Market Overview

    2. 1.2 Market Drivers

    3. 1.3 Market Restraints

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 Food Crops/Cereals

      1. 2.1.1 Production Analysis

      2. 2.1.2 Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)

      3. 2.1.3 Import Analysis (Value & Volume)

      4. 2.1.4 Export Analysis (Value & Volume)

      5. 2.1.5 Price Trend Analysis

    2. 2.2 Fruits

      1. 2.2.1 Production Analysis

      2. 2.2.2 Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)

      3. 2.2.3 Import Analysis (Value & Volume)

      4. 2.2.4 Export Analysis (Value & Volume)

      5. 2.2.5 Price Trend Analysis

    3. 2.3 Vegetables

      1. 2.3.1 Production Analysis

      2. 2.3.2 Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)

      3. 2.3.3 Import Analysis (Value & Volume)

      4. 2.3.4 Export Analysis (Value & Volume)

      5. 2.3.5 Price Trend Analysis

    4. 2.4 Oilseeds/Non-food Crops

      1. 2.4.1 Production Analysis

      2. 2.4.2 Consumption Analysis (Value & Volume)

      3. 2.4.3 Import Analysis (Value & Volume)

      4. 2.4.4 Export Analysis (Value & Volume)

      5. 2.4.5 Price Trend Analysis

Agriculture in the MENA Region Market Size FAQs

The MENA Region Agriculture Market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period (2024-2029)

The report covers the MENA Region Agriculture Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the MENA Region Agriculture Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

MENA Agriculture Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)