Middle East: Almond Market 2025

Almond Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern almond market fell to $X in 2021, waning by -3.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 -6.6% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Almond Production in the Middle East

In value terms, almond production shrank slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 increased by +7.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 50% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Iran (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), together comprising 87% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +7.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average almond yield declined slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, with a decrease of -2.4% against the previous year. The yield indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, almond yield increased by +76.0% against 2013 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020, and then reduced 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 2021, approx. X ha of almonds were harvested in the Middle East; approximately mirroring 2020 figures. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Almond Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, approx. X tons of almonds were exported in the Middle East; picking up by 31% compared with the year before. Total exports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +50.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, almond exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a temperate expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the key exporter of almonds, mixing up 47% of total exports. Turkey (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Lebanon (X tons) and Palestine (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 44% share of total exports. Jordan (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +18.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Turkey (+40.5%), Jordan (+32.5%), Lebanon (+14.4%) and Palestine (+7.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +40.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-19.3%) and Iran (-22.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+34 p.p.), Turkey (+20 p.p.), Lebanon (+11 p.p.), Jordan (+3.1 p.p.) and Palestine (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Syrian Arab Republic (-12 p.p.) and Iran (-29.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest almond supplier in the Middle East, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Lebanon, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +20.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+43.0% per year) and Lebanon (+14.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 15% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 37%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Palestine ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Almond Imports

Imports in the Middle East

Almond imports shrank to X tons in 2021, waning by -11.9% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports showed a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 35%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, almond imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the major importer of almonds in the Middle East, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 46% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons) and Iran (X tons), together constituting a 43% share of total imports. The following importers - Iraq (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) - each accounted for a 3.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Iraq (with a CAGR of +25.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Iran ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 88% of total imports. These countries were followed by Iraq and Yemen, which together accounted for a further 2.8%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Iraq, with a CAGR of +26.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -8.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) and Turkey ($X per ton), while Yemen ($X per ton) and Iraq ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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