Middle East And North Africa Agriculture Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Middle East And North Africa Agriculture Market Trends and Insights

Government-Backed Mega-Irrigation Expansion Programs

Government-funded irrigation projects are transforming agricultural production patterns across the Middle East and North Africa. Jordan's USD 5 billion desalination plant, scheduled for January 2025, will provide fresh water for 300 km of new agricultural zones. Egypt's Mustaqbal Misr project aims to convert 1.5 million feddans of desert into arable land. Saudi Arabian research institutes are developing salt-tolerant crop varieties specifically designed for desalinated water irrigation. Ethiopia's investment forum showcased USD 600 million in domestic irrigation equipment manufacturing capacity, indicating progress toward agricultural self-sufficiency and employment growth. These developments, combined with decreasing desalination costs, are establishing water-secure agricultural corridors that will support the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market's long-term growth^{[2]Source: International Finance Corporation, “Food Systems Development Program,” ifc.org}.

Accelerated Adoption of Climate-Smart Greenhouse Systems

Climate challenges, including heat waves and irregular rainfall patterns, have driven increased adoption of controlled-environment farming in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The United Arab Emirates uses multi-tiered glasshouses that reduce water consumption by 90% compared to open-field farming while minimizing seasonal yield variations. Saudi Arabian coastal resorts implement advanced heat-blocking covers that maintain temperatures below 30°C inside greenhouses, even when external temperatures exceed 45°C. Government support through subsidized electricity rates and streamlined organic certification processes reduces operational costs. Farmers report investment recovery within four years, supported by premium pricing for consistent year-round supply. The transition to advanced greenhouse technology strengthens the Middle East and North Africa agricultural market's competitive position.

Growing Intra-Country Grain Procurement Agreements

Direct government purchasing agreements are stabilizing producer incomes and national reserves across key markets. Egypt secured 3.5 million metric tons of wheat from Russia through bilateral contracts in 2025, eliminating exchange premiums and providing farmers with fixed reference prices. In 2024, Nigeria implemented a minimum price program covering 250,000 wheat growers, supported by the African Development Bank, enabling reliable cash flow planning. Morocco and Algeria have established comparable systems to shield their markets from global price volatility. These guaranteed purchase agreements enhance financing opportunities for storage and processing infrastructure, strengthening supply chain stability in the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market^{[3]Source: African Development Bank, “Country Strategy Paper Nigeria 2025-2029,” afdb.org}.

Scaling Desalination-Powered Hydroponics

Gulf countries combine solar energy with membrane desalination to operate nutrient-film greenhouses in arid regions. United Arab Emirates demonstration farms achieve lettuce yields of 320 metric tons per hectare while using 15 liters of water per kilogram of produce. Jordan intends to implement desalinated water distribution through gravity-fed drip systems, reducing pumping energy consumption by 35%. Research facilities are developing optimized nutrient solutions to address mineral imbalances in desalinated water. The successful expansion of these systems will enable the cultivation of high-value horticultural crops across thousands of hectares, contributing to the growth of the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market^{[4]Source: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, “Desalinated Water for Agriculture,” kaust.edu.sa}.

Dependence on Imported Seed Genetics and Inputs

Commercial seed in core markets primarily comes from overseas breeders, which exposes growers to foreign exchange risks and potential export restrictions. Ethiopia's seed audit revealed yield reductions of up to 30% when imported hybrid seeds are planted outside their intended agro-ecological zones. Gulf producers experience similar challenges with fertilizer supply, as shipping disruptions can delay essential top dressings. While national seed-multiplication programs are expanding, the time required for varietal development indicates that import dependency will continue in the medium term, constraining growth in the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market^{[5]Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, “Seed Sector Assessment Ethiopia,” fas.usda.gov}.

Pollination Inefficiencies in Vertical Farms

Indoor vertical farms growing lettuce and strawberries require controlled pollination processes, which increase operational costs. Both manual and robotic pollination methods are labor-intensive and yield inconsistent results, reducing fruit production rates. Research on bumblebee micro-colonies and electrostatic pollen dispensers shows promise, these solutions are not yet commercially viable for large-scale operations. The lack of efficient pollination systems keeps operating margins low in vertical farms, limiting their ability to meet the increasing agricultural demand in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Segment Analysis

By Crop Type: Grains and Cereals anchor food resilience while oilseeds and Pulses capture high-margin expansion

Grains and cereals hold 47.7% of the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market share in 2024, serving as essential components of regional diets and strategic reserves. Egypt's public wheat procurement reached 14.4 million metric tons in 2024 through direct contracts, providing millers with a consistent supply and strengthening domestic food security^{[6]Source: General Authority for Supply Commodities, “Annual Wheat Procurement Report 2024,” gasc.eg}. Nigeria's irrigation-focused rice production, backed by minimum price guarantees, is increasing average yields to 4.5 metric tons per hectare, reducing import requirements and stabilizing urban market prices. North African barley production meets both human consumption and animal feed needs, creating balanced demand patterns that provide steady income for farmers. The implementation of precision planting technologies and remote sensing improves input efficiency across extensive grain fields, maintaining the segment's dominant position in the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market.

The oilseeds and pulses segment is projected to grow at a 5.1% CAGR through 2030. Nigeria's soybean production region has secured USD 2 billion in processing facility investments, with potential annual export revenues of USD 200 million in the coming decade. Ethiopia and Egypt are expanding chickpea and fava bean production to meet increasing protein demand from urban consumers focused on health. Local processing facilities prefer domestic supply sources to reduce transportation costs associated with imported meals, supporting the expansion of cultivation areas. The development of drought-resistant, short-duration crop varieties improves yields and water efficiency, supporting the continued growth of this rapidly expanding segment in the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

North Africa accounted for 40.2% of the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market share in 2024, by utilizing its European proximity and Mediterranean climate advantages. Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone functions as an export hub with cold-chain connections that reduce transit times to Gulf markets. Morocco and Tunisia focus on citrus and olive oil production, benefiting from European Union duty-free quotas. Algeria develops durum wheat and hard-red wheat varieties to fulfill domestic pasta requirements. The implementation of organic certification and traceability regulations increases as producers target higher margins from health-conscious consumers, enhancing revenues in the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market. 

The Middle East agricultural market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% through 2030. The Arabian Peninsula influences agricultural production through capital-intensive, climate-controlled systems to address limited arable land constraints. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 food security initiative supports vertical farming facilities that produce 16 metric tons of leafy greens monthly, integrating solar power with liquid-fertilizer recirculation systems. In the United Arab Emirates, producers utilize renewable-powered desalination and AI-controlled climate systems, achieving year-round production while conserving 90% of water resources. Jordan's USD 5 billion desalination canal project, planned for completion in 2025, aims to irrigate newly reclaimed areas for increased staple crop production. These infrastructure developments reduce the region's reliance on maritime imports and support the expansion of the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market.

Sub-Saharan Africa presents significant growth potential through improved smallholder productivity and technology-enabled input access. Nigeria's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones establish infrastructure networks including feeder roads, electricity, and storage facilities, drawing investments from milling and oilseed processing companies. Ethiopia's Digital Agriculture Roadmap, launched in June 2025, provides 25 e-service modules, delivering market data, advisory services, and remote diagnostics to over 10 million users. Kenya's carbon-credit initiative rewards regenerative farming practices, providing additional income to rural areas. Infrastructure investments in rail and ports decrease inland transportation costs, expanding market access and supporting growth in the Middle East and North Africa agriculture market.