MENA: Carob Market 2024

Carob Market Size in MENA

The MENA's carob market rose modestly to $X in 2021, increasing by 3.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed prominent growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Carob Production in MENA

In value terms, carob production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -11.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Morocco (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Egypt (X tons), together comprising 80% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Egypt (with a CAGR of +32.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average carob yield rose markedly to X tons per ha in 2021, with an increase of 11% on the year before. The yield indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, carob yield increased by +23.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 51% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the carob yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of carob were harvested in MENA; flattening at 2020 figures. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 0.8%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to carob production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Carob Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, carob exports in MENA fell modestly to X tons, declining by -4.8% against the year before. Overall, exports, however, recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 169% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, carob exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 258%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Morocco (X tons) was the largest exporter of carob, mixing up 46% of total exports. Algeria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 19% share, followed by Egypt (12%), Lebanon (7.6%) and Tunisia (5.9%). Turkey (X tons) and Israel (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Morocco increased at an average annual rate of +12.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Israel (+58.3%), Tunisia (+44.6%), Lebanon (+37.5%), Egypt (+6.6%) and Algeria (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +58.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Turkey (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+12 p.p.), Lebanon (+6.4 p.p.), Tunisia (+5.3 p.p.), Israel (+3.2 p.p.) and Morocco (+2.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Turkey (-10 p.p.) and Algeria (-21.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) remains the largest carob supplier in MENA, comprising 77% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Algeria ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Lebanon, with a 5.1% share.

In Morocco, carob exports expanded at an average annual rate of +21.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Algeria (+10.9% per year) and Lebanon (+53.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, surging by 34% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 51% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lebanon (+11.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Carob Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, carob imports in MENA expanded rapidly to X tons, surging by 9.7% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 212%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, carob imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 225% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of carob imports in 2021 were Egypt (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Morocco (X tons), together accounting for 93% of total import. The following importers - Palestine (X tons) and Israel (X tons) - together made up 5.7% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Morocco (with a CAGR of +62.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported carob in MENA, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 12% share.

In Morocco, carob imports expanded at an average annual rate of +68.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+0.2% per year) and Turkey (+28.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 54% against the previous year. Import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, carob import price increased by +77.7% against 2017 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform