GCC: Candied Fruit Market 2025

Candied Fruit Market Size in GCC

The GCC candied fruit market soared to $X in 2021, picking up by 18% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Candied Fruit Production in GCC

In value terms, candied fruit production fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, posted significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 305% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of candied fruit production was Saudi Arabia (X tons), accounting for 87% of total volume. Moreover, candied fruit production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), more than tenfold.

In Saudi Arabia, candied fruit production increased at an average annual rate of +26.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United Arab Emirates (+1.0% per year) and Kuwait (+18.1% per year).

Candied Fruit Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of candied fruits decreased by -18.4% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, exports recorded a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 119%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, candied fruit exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a tangible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 100% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the key exporter of candied fruits in GCC, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 50% of total exports in 2021. Oman (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 47% share of total exports. Qatar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Kuwait (with a CAGR of +84.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest candied fruit supplying countries in GCC were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Oman ($X), with a combined 91% share of total exports.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +103.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 121% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded prominent growth. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+66.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Candied Fruit Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of candied fruits, when their volume increased by 54% to X tons. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, candied fruit imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the key importer of candied fruits, generating 61% of total imports. Oman (X tons) held a 25% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Kuwait (6.6%) and Qatar (6.2%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to candied fruit imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +6.2%. At the same time, Kuwait (+11.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +11.0% from 2012-2021. Oman experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Qatar (-5.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+22 p.p.) and Kuwait (+3.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Oman and Qatar saw its share reduced by -3.6% and -4.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported candied fruits in GCC, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +2.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Oman (+0.4% per year) and Qatar (-2.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -3.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform