Middle East: Apple Market 2025

Apple Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern apple market shrank to $X in 2021, which is down by -11.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Apple Production in the Middle East

In value terms, apple production contracted sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 46% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

The country with the largest volume of apple production was Turkey (X tons), accounting for 60% of total volume. Moreover, apple production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in Turkey amounted to +5.0%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-3.6% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-1.6% per year).

The average apple yield dropped slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, approximately reflecting the year before. The yield indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, apple yield increased by +65.3% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked 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 apple harvested area was estimated at X ha in 2021, picking up by 4.2% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a slight curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 8.2%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the apple harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Apple Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, shipments abroad of apples increased by 79% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a strong increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, apple exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a strong increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 48% of total exports. Iran (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Lebanon (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons). All these countries together held near 44% share of total exports. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Israel (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the apples exports, with a CAGR of +19.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+18.0%), Iran (+14.7%) and Israel (+6.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Lebanon experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-11.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+27 p.p.), Iran (+7.9 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+3.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Lebanon and Syrian Arab Republic saw its share reduced by -14.8% and -20.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest apple supplier in the Middle East, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Iran ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 10% share.

In Turkey, apple exports expanded at an average annual rate of +22.6% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (+14.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+12.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 11% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lebanon (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Apple Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After three years of decline, purchases abroad of apples increased by 3.1% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -34.5% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, apple imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented roughly 49% of total imports in 2021. Israel (X tons) took a 7.5% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Iraq (6.9%), Jordan (6.6%), Yemen (5.6%), Oman (5.1%) and Syrian Arab Republic (5%).

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Yemen (with a CAGR of +23.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest apple importing markets in the Middle East were Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Israel ($X), together comprising 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by Oman, Jordan, Yemen, Iraq and Syrian Arab Republic, which together accounted for a further 20%.

Syrian Arab Republic, with a CAGR of +24.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, rising by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Iraq ($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 (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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