Tomato Market in the Middle East Posted Solid Gains Over the Last Decade

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'Middle East - Tomatoes - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The Middle Eastern tomato market declined to $15.9B in 2019, which is down by -13.6% 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). In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 21% year-to-year. As a result, consumption attained a peak level of $19.8B. From 2018 to 2019, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of tomato consumption in 2019 were Turkey (12M tons), Iran (6.7M tons), and the Syrian Arab Republic (651K tons), together accounting for 86% of total consumption. These countries were followed by Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, which together accounted for a further 6.6%.

From 2013 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Jordan, while tomato consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($7.8B), Iran ($5.3B) and Israel ($501M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2019, with a combined 86% share of the total market. Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 5.1%.

The countries with the highest levels of tomato per capita consumption in 2019 were Turkey (143 kg per person), Iran (80 kg per person), and Jordan (59 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Jordan, while tomato per capita consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production in the Middle East

Tomato production was estimated at 23M tons in 2019, remaining stable against the year before. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak volume in 2019. The generally positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a pronounced increase in yield figures.

Production by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of tomato production in 2019 were Turkey (12M tons), Iran (6.7M tons), and Jordan (864K tons), together accounting for 89% of total production. These countries were followed by the Syrian Arab Republic and Israel, which together accounted for a further 4.3%.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of tomato production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by the Syrian Arab Republic, while tomato production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area in the Middle East

In 2019, the total area harvested in terms of tomatoes production in the Middle East reduced slightly to 413K ha, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to tomato production attained the maximum at 465K ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Yield in the Middle East

The average tomato yield rose to 54 tons per ha in 2019, growing by 2% against 2018. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2013 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 6.3% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the tomato yield hit record highs in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports in the Middle East

In 2019, overseas shipments of tomatoes increased by 19% to 883K tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. Over the period under review, exports reached a maximum of 1.3M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure. In value terms, tomato exports shrank to $482M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the key exporting country with an export of about 535K tons, which reached 61% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Jordan (240K tons), making up a 27% share of total exports. The following exporters - Oman (30K tons), Iran (28K tons), and the Syrian Arab Republic (26K tons) - each finished at a 9.6% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2019, the average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato exports from Turkey stood at +1.7%. At the same time, Iran (+23.7%) and Oman (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iran emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +23.7% from 2013-2019. By contrast, Jordan (-14.4%) and the Syrian Arab Republic (-22.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+5.9 p.p.) and Iran (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan saw its share reduced by -10.9% and -42.1% from 2013 to 2019, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($303M) remains the largest tomato supplier in the Middle East, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Jordan ($120M), with a 25% share of total exports. It was followed by Iran, with a 5.2% share.

In Turkey, tomato exports shrank by an average annual rate of -4.2% over the period from 2013-2019. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of export growth: Jordan (-14.9% per year) and Iran (+45.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The tomato export price in the Middle East stood at $546 per ton in 2019, which is down by -28.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 23% year-to-year. As a result, the export price reached a peak level of $791 per ton. From 2018 to 2019, the growth in terms of the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Iran ($874 per ton), while Oman ($95 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform