MENA: Yams Market 2024

Yams Market Size in MENA

The MENA's yams market totaled $X in 2022, growing by 7.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a prominent increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Yams Production in MENA

In value terms, yams production dropped rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a sharp curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 108%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of yams production was Egypt (X tons), accounting for 75% of total volume. Moreover, yams production in Egypt exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Morocco (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Egypt amounted to +13.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Morocco (-14.0% per year) and Iran (+1.0% per year).

Yams Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, approx. X tons of yams were exported in MENA; growing by 19% compared with the year before. Overall, exports saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 184%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, yams exports totaled $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 102% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), making up a 7.5% share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the yams exports, with a CAGR of +73.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Egypt (+23.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates increased by +74 percentage points.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest yams supplier in MENA, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 16% share of total exports.

In the United Arab Emirates, yams exports increased at an average annual rate of +75.6% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -5.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+10.0%).

Yams Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, approx. X tons of yams were imported in MENA; growing by 2.7% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports recorded buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 38%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, yams imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports posted a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in imports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 69% of total imports in 2022. Qatar (X tons) held an 8.3% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (7.9%), Kuwait (5.4%) and Bahrain (4.9%). Saudi Arabia (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to yams imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +8.2%. At the same time, Kuwait (+78.6%), Bahrain (+76.3%), Oman (+74.4%), Saudi Arabia (+34.1%) and Qatar (+17.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +78.6% from 2012-2022. Qatar (+8.3 p.p.), Oman (+7.8 p.p.), Kuwait (+5.3 p.p.), Bahrain (+4.9 p.p.) and Saudi Arabia (+3.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -31% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported yams in MENA, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Qatar ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +3.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Qatar (+15.1% per year) and Oman (+68.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, surging by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Saudi Arabia (+0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform