GCC: Tomato Market 2024

Tomato Market Size in GCC

In 2021, the GCC tomato market decreased by -0.7% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. The total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -14.0% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Production in GCC

In value terms, tomato production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Saudi Arabia (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons), with a combined 89% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Oman (with a CAGR of +16.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average tomato yield in GCC contracted slightly to X tons per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the tomato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The tomato harvested area contracted to X ha in 2021, approximately mirroring 2020. Overall, the harvested area showed a slight curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to tomato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of tomatoes increased by 4.4% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, faced a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 22%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tomato exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a abrupt setback. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Oman represented the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 56% of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held a 33% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Qatar (6.4%). Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Qatar (with a CAGR of +20.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Oman ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 94% of total exports. Qatar and Kuwait lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 5.4%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +15.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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, surging by 33% against the previous year. Export price indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, tomato export price increased by +64.6% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 38% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+11.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tomato Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, purchases abroad of tomatoes decreased by -1.8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 20%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tomato imports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia dominates imports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 65% of total imports in 2021. Qatar (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Kuwait (X tons), Oman (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons). All these countries together took near 31% share of total imports. Bahrain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Saudi Arabia increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Oman (+7.3%) and Qatar (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +7.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kuwait (-1.2%), Bahrain (-1.5%) and the United Arab Emirates (-18.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+24 p.p.), Oman (+3.5 p.p.) and Qatar (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Kuwait (-1.7 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (-27.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tomatoes in GCC, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Kuwait, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Saudi Arabia amounted to +9.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-11.6% per year) and Kuwait (-0.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 6.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 14%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform