The Middle Eastern Carrot and Turnip Market Continues Moderate but Robust Growth

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

In 2019, the Middle Eastern carrot and turnip market increased by 3.1% to $458M, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of 8.9% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of carrot and turnip consumption in 2019 were Turkey (564K tons), Iran (319K tons) and Israel (142K tons), with a combined 73% share of total consumption. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and Kuwait, which together accounted for a further 20%.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of carrot and turnip consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Oman, while carrot and turnip consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest carrot and turnip markets in the Middle East were Turkey ($96M), Israel ($86M) and Iran ($86M), with a combined 59% share of the total market. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan, which together accounted for a further 31%.

The countries with the highest levels of carrot and turnip per capita consumption in 2019 were Israel (16 kg per person), the United Arab Emirates (12 kg per person) and Turkey (6.81 kg per person).

Production in the Middle East

In 2019, carrot and turnip production in the Middle East stood at 1.3M tons, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at 1.4M tons in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, production stood at a somewhat lower figure. The general negative trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, carrot and turnip production reached $396M in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years.

Production by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of carrot and turnip production in 2019 were Turkey (644K tons), Iran (331K tons) and Israel (228K tons), together accounting for 89% of total production. The United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 3.6%.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in the United Arab Emirates, while carrot and turnip production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area in the Middle East

In 2019, the carrot and turnip harvested area in the Middle East stood at 40K ha, approximately reflecting the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 11% year-to-year. The level of harvested area peaked at 41K ha in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Yield in the Middle East

In 2019, the average carrot and turnip yield in the Middle East shrank modestly to 34 ton per ha, remaining relatively unchanged against 2018. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2011 with an increase of 5.1% y-o-y. The level of yield peaked at 39 ton per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, the yield remained at a lower figure.

Exports in the Middle East

In 2019, overseas shipments of carrots and turnips increased by 2.1% to 202K tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, exports decreased by -29.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when exports increased by 45% year-to-year. As a result, exports reached the peak of 312K tons. From 2012 to 2019, the growth exports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, carrot and turnip exports totaled $79M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last twelve-year period.

Exports by Country

Israel (86K tons) and Turkey (80K tons) dominates carrot and turnip exports structure, together creating 83% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Iran (12K tons), committing a 5.9% share of total exports. The following exporters - Saudi Arabia (8.8K tons), Syrian Arab Republic (4.9K tons) and Oman (4.9K tons) - together made up 9.2% of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Iran, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Israel ($53M) remains the largest carrot and turnip supplier in the Middle East, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Turkey ($14M), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 3.2% share.

In Israel, carrot and turnip exports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+2.7% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+0.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the carrot and turnip export price in the Middle East amounted to $389 per ton, rising by 2.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, export prices attained the maximum at $469 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Israel ($620 per ton), while Turkey ($170 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports in the Middle East

Carrot and turnip imports expanded sharply to 262K tons in 2019, growing by 6.9% against the previous year. Total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +55.3% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 with an increase of 30% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2019 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, carrot and turnip imports expanded rapidly to $138M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Overall, imports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2019 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (81K tons) and Saudi Arabia (74K tons) represented roughly 59% of total imports of carrots and turnips in 2019. Kuwait (22K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 8.3% share, followed by Qatar (7.5%), Lebanon (6.7%) and Bahrain (4.8%). Oman (9.8K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Saudi Arabia, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest carrot and turnip importing markets in the Middle East were the United Arab Emirates ($45M), Saudi Arabia ($36M) and Qatar ($14M), with a combined 69% share of total imports.

Saudi Arabia 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 carrot and turnip import price in the Middle East stood at $529 per ton in 2019, picking up by 3.6% against the previous year. Import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2007 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, carrot and turnip import price increased by +16.1% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $554 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($708 per ton), while Lebanon ($352 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform