MENA: Banana Market 2025

Banana Market Size in MENA

In 2022, the MENA's banana market decreased by -1.9% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Banana Production in MENA

In value terms, banana production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Egypt (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons), together comprising 76% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +21.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average banana yield in MENA contracted modestly to X tons per ha, declining by -2% on the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the yield increased by 12% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly 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.

In 2022, approx. X ha of bananas were harvested in MENA; standing approx. at the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 5.8%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the banana harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Banana Exports

Exports in MENA

For the fifth year in a row, MENA recorded decline in shipments abroad of bananas, which decreased by -79% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 904%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, banana exports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 833%. 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) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) were the major exporters of bananas in MENA, together accounting for near 60% of total exports. Lebanon (X tons) took a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United Arab Emirates (9.1%) and Turkey (8.4%). Egypt (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +80.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest banana supplying countries in MENA were Saudi Arabia ($X), Kuwait ($X) and Lebanon ($X), together accounting for 70% of total exports. The United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +51.6%, 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

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Lebanon ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Banana Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, imports of bananas in MENA contracted to X tons, reducing by -14.9% compared with the year before. Total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -48.1% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 59%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, banana imports fell to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the four major importers of bananas, namely Iraq, Iran, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons), generating a 4.6% share of total imports. Turkey (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Oman (X tons), Libya (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Jordan (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +54.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iran ($X), Iraq ($X) and Algeria ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 54% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Kuwait, Tunisia, Syrian Arab Republic, Oman, Jordan and Libya lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 43%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +51.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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 import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 4.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 16%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform