Jun 7, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: GCC – Millet – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The millet market in the GCC region is projected to see a growth in consumption, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.0% in volume and +1.2% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is expected to reach 43K tons and the market value is anticipated to reach $19M in nominal prices.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for millet in GCC, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 43K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $19M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
GCC’s Consumption of Millet
In 2024, consumption of millet in GCC declined to 39K tons, waning by -10.6% on the previous year. The total consumption indicated perceptible growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -23.9% against 2021 indices. The volume of consumption peaked at 51K tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
The revenue of the millet market in GCC contracted dramatically to $17M in 2024, falling by -18.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -22.5% against 2022 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $22M in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were the United Arab Emirates (22K tons), Saudi Arabia (12K tons) and Qatar (2.7K tons), with a combined 96% share of total consumption.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +28.1%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the consumption figures.
In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($7.8M), the United Arab Emirates ($7.1M) and Qatar ($968K) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, with a combined 95% share of the total market.
Qatar, with a CAGR of +31.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In 2024, the highest levels of millet per capita consumption was registered in the United Arab Emirates (2,137 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Qatar (884 kg per 1000 persons), Saudi Arabia (338 kg per 1000 persons) and Oman (119 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of millet was estimated at 623 kg per 1000 persons.
In the United Arab Emirates, millet per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Qatar (+25.0% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-2.0% per year).
Production
GCC’s Production of Millet
Millet production reduced rapidly to 11K tons in 2024, dropping by -16.4% against 2023 figures. In general, production, however, showed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 79%. The volume of production peaked at 14K tons in 2023, and then plummeted in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by resilient growth of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.
In value terms, millet production contracted dramatically to $7.1M in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 74%. The level of production peaked at $8.5M in 2023, and then fell markedly in the following year.
Production By Country
Saudi Arabia (11K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of millet production, accounting for 100% of total volume.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in Saudi Arabia totaled +8.8%.
Yield
The average millet yield reduced dramatically to 1.9 tons per ha in 2024, with a decrease of -20.7% against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of 2.6 tons per ha. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the millet yield remained at a lower figure.
Harvested Area
In 2024, approx. 6.1K ha of millet were harvested in GCC; increasing by 5.5% compared with 2023 figures. The total harvested area indicated a strong expansion from 2013 to 2024: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, millet harvested area decreased by -5.0% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to millet production attained the maximum at 6.4K ha in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports
GCC’s Imports of Millet
For the third year in a row, GCC recorded decline in purchases abroad of millet, which decreased by -6.8% to 28K tons in 2024. Total imports indicated tangible growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -31.6% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 41K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, millet imports declined remarkably to $10M in 2024. Total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -27.7% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $14M. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
The United Arab Emirates prevails in imports structure, amounting to 23K tons, which was approx. 81% of total imports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Qatar (2.7K tons), generating a 9.7% share of total imports. Saudi Arabia (1,103 tons), Oman (704 tons) and Kuwait (526 tons) took a minor share of total imports.
Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Qatar (+28.1%) and Kuwait (+7.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +28.1% from 2013-2024. By contrast, Oman (-1.1%) and Saudi Arabia (-16.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar increased by +27 and +8.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($7.8M) constitutes the largest market for imported millet in GCC, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Qatar ($968K), with a 9.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 5.1% share.
In the United Arab Emirates, millet imports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Qatar (+31.6% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-14.9% per year).
Import Prices By Country
The import price in GCC stood at $363 per ton in 2024, waning by -15.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 18% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $431 per ton in 2023, and then reduced sharply in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($636 per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($342 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
GCC’s Exports of Millet
In 2024, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of millet, when their volume increased by 53% to 906 tons. In general, exports posted a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 288%. The volume of export peaked at 2.9K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, millet exports surged to $518K in 2024. Overall, exports showed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 1,794% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $1.5M in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
The United Arab Emirates prevails in exports structure, reaching 856 tons, which was near 95% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Oman (48 tons), mixing up a 5.3% share of total exports.
The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the millet exports, with a CAGR of +31.4% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Oman (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Oman (+5.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -5.5% from 2013 to 2024, respectively.
In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($493K) remains the largest millet supplier in GCC, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($23K), with a 4.4% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled +31.9%.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in GCC amounted to $572 per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 527%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $3,140 per ton. From 2017 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($576 per ton), while Oman amounted to $471 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+0.4%).
