Middle East increases dependence on wheat imports

The Middle East, which brings together countries from Western Asia and Egypt in northern Africa, is home to around 411 million people and shows a strong dependence on wheat imports due to the limited local production capacity. Most of the supply comes from Black Sea exporters, which reinforces the region's vulnerability to market fluctuations and geopolitical tensions. Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia are among the main producers and importers, each facing specific supply challenges. In Egypt, the USDA projects a 2025/26 crop of 9.3 million tons, against imports of 13 million. Consumption is expected to reach 20.4 million, driven by population growth, which is expected to increase the country from 107 million to 124 million inhabitants by 2030, according to CAPMAS. Despite limitations such as water scarcity and increasing urbanization, the country remains the world's largest importer. The inflation of bread and derivatives fell from 47% to 7.2% between February 2024 and ...