Middle East: Apricot Market 2025

Apricot Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern apricot market expanded modestly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 3.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Apricot Production in the Middle East

In value terms, apricot production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 38%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of apricot production, accounting for 64% of total volume. Moreover, apricot production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), twofold. Lebanon (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 2.7% share.

In Turkey, apricot production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (+0.6% per year) and Lebanon (+3.3% per year).

The average apricot yield stood at X tons per ha in 2022, growing by 2.1% compared with the previous year. In general, the yield, however, recorded a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the yield increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the apricot yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The apricot harvested area declined slightly to X ha in 2022, stabilizing at 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to apricot production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Apricot Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, approx. X tons of apricots were exported in the Middle East; surging by 7.5% compared with 2021 figures. Total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +38.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, apricot exports totaled $X in 2022. In general, exports posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 47%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Turkey prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 86% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Jordan (X tons), creating a 7.6% share of total exports. Lebanon (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Jordan (+7.4%) and Lebanon (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Jordan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +7.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-5.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Turkey (+3 p.p.) and Jordan (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Syrian Arab Republic (-2.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest apricot supplier in the Middle East, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Jordan ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Lebanon, with a 1.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey stood at +7.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Jordan (+2.7% per year) and Lebanon (+0.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Export price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, apricot export price increased by +55.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 24% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Jordan ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Apricot Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of apricots imported in the Middle East fell modestly to X tons, which is down by -4.2% compared with 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 109% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, apricot imports reduced to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +14.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 75%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Iraq represented the largest importer of apricots in the Middle East, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 52% of total imports in 2022. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held near 38% share of total imports. The following importers - Bahrain (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) - together made up 7.5% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +20.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), Iraq ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 71% of total imports. Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Kuwait, with a CAGR of +12.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2022, falling by -6.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 25%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood 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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Iraq ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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