GCC: Banana And Plantain Market 2025

Banana And Plantain Market Size in GCC

The GCC banana and plantain market dropped remarkably to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -66.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a deep reduction. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Banana And Plantain Production in GCC

In value terms, banana and plantain production soared to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a resilient increase. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of banana and plantain production, accounting for 93% of total volume. Moreover, banana and plantain production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Oman (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Saudi Arabia was relatively modest.

The average banana and plantain yield skyrocketed to X tons per ha in 2022, with an increase of 1,416% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield showed a significant increase. As a result, the yield reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of bananas and plantains production in GCC stood at X ha, approximately mirroring 2021. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9.9% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Banana And Plantain Exports

Exports in GCC

Banana and plantain exports contracted to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -6.8% compared with 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 532%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, banana and plantain exports fell modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed mild growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 812%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Kuwait (X tons) was the key exporter of bananas and plantains, committing 53% of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took a 22% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United Arab Emirates (17%). The following exporters - Bahrain (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each accounted for a 7.9% share of total exports.

Kuwait was also the fastest-growing in terms of the bananas and plantains exports, with a CAGR of +16.4% from 2012 to 2022. Saudi Arabia (-1.0%), Oman (-5.9%), the United Arab Emirates (-8.1%) and Bahrain (-9.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Kuwait (+40 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Oman (-3.7 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (-3.9 p.p.), Bahrain (-7.9 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (-24.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), Kuwait ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 88% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Kuwait, with a CAGR of +11.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 4.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 44%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices stood 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 Bahrain ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+8.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Banana And Plantain Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, the amount of bananas and plantains imported in GCC shrank rapidly to X tons, with a decrease of -70% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, imports faced a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, banana and plantain imports contracted significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the major importer of bananas and plantains, constituting 41% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Qatar (X tons), Oman (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons), together constituting a 59% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest banana and plantain importing markets in GCC were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Bahrain ($X), with a combined 79% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +7.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, rising by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, banana and plantain import price increased by +12.2% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 24%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+11.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform