GCC: Fruit Market 2023

Fruit Market Size in GCC

The GCC fruit market expanded modestly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 1.5% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Fruit Production in GCC

In value terms, fruit production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Saudi Arabia (X tons) remains the largest fruit producing country in GCC, comprising approx. 73% of total volume. Moreover, fruit production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Oman (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), with a 9.1% share.

In Saudi Arabia, fruit production increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Oman (+2.6% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+4.2% per year).

In 2022, the average fruit yield in GCC expanded slightly to X tons per ha, surging by 1.9% compared with the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the fruit yield hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the fruit harvested area in GCC dropped to X ha, stabilizing at 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area recorded a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 8.7%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to fruit production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Fruit Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of fruits, when their volume decreased by -9.6% to X tons. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +19.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, fruit exports shrank to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 48%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) dominates exports structure, together constituting 85% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together making up a 14% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Oman ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 96% of total exports. Kuwait lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 3.4%.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +11.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fruit Imports

Imports in GCC

Fruit imports shrank to X tons in 2022, falling by -5.3% against the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, fruit imports declined to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) prevails in imports structure, together constituting 70% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Qatar (X tons), together creating a 26% share of total imports. Bahrain (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Qatar (with a CAGR of +14.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Qatar ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 78% share of total imports.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +17.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 6.8%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :