Baghdad: Iraq has emerged as the second-largest consumer of rice among Arab countries, trailing only behind Egypt. This notable ranking highlights Iraq's significant position in the regional rice market.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Iraq's annual rice consumption reached approximately 2.9 million tons. This places it just behind Egypt, which leads the Arab world with an annual consumption of about 5.5 million tons. Saudi Arabia follows Iraq, consuming around 1.6 million tons annually, making it the third-largest consumer in the region.

Yemen ranks fourth with a consumption of 802,000 tons, while the UAE consumes 454,000 tons, placing it fifth. Mauritania and Kuwait follow with 400,000 and 339,000 tons, respectively.

Algeria occupies the eighth position with an annual consumption of 321,000 tons. Qatar and Oman round out the top ten with 281,000 and 270,000 tons, respectively. Jordan's consumption stands at 239,000 tons, placing it eleventh, followed by Morocco at 148,000 tons. Bahrain and Libya consume 100,000 and 84,000 tons, respectively, while Lebanon ranks fifteenth with an annual consumption of 81,000 tons.