GCC: Pork Market 2025

Pork Market Size in GCC

In 2022, the GCC pork market decreased by -8.3% to $X for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a buoyant increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Pork Production in GCC

In value terms, pork production reduced sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 1,936% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Oman (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of pork production, accounting for 98% of total volume. It was followed by Qatar (X tons), with a 2.1% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Oman stood at -13.4%.

Pork Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, exports of pork in GCC soared to X tons, increasing by 56% against 2021 figures. In general, exports posted buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 159%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, pork exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the major exporter of pork in GCC, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 77% of total exports in 2022. Oman (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Bahrain (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 23% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to pork exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at +19.8%. At the same time, Oman (+44.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +44.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Bahrain (-7.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+25 p.p.) and Oman (+18 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Bahrain saw its share reduced by -34.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest pork supplier in GCC, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with a 23% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +9.0%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+60.1% per year) and Bahrain (-0.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+11.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Pork Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, overseas purchases of pork decreased by -9.7% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 26%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, pork imports shrank to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 25%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 92% of total imports in 2022. Bahrain (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the pork imports, with a CAGR of +8.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bahrain (+3.5%) and Qatar (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Qatar (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Bahrain saw its share reduced by -2.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported pork in GCC, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bahrain ($X), with a 5.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled +7.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bahrain (+2.7% per year) and Qatar (+5.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 4.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 16%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform