Browse Data and Analysis

Prospects for wheat in the Middle East are favorable entering the spring of 2024. Fall and winter precipitation replenished soil moisture and improved water stores for irrigation, and early signals suggest an above-average harvest could be on the horizon.

USDA estimates marketing year (MY) 2022/23 Middle East wheat production higher relative to last year’s poor outcome. Wheat production across the Middle East, however, is still projected significantly below the 5-year average (Table 1).

USDA estimates winter crops (i.e., wheat and barley) production for marketing year (MY) 2021/22 lower compared to last year for all major wheat and barley producing countries in the Middle East due to dryness (Figures 1 and 2).

Economic growth and rising incomes are propelling demand for broiler meat in the Middle East and Turkey is stepping up to fill demand.