Middle East: Areca Nut Market 2025

Areca Nut Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern areca nut market expanded slightly to $X in 2022, rising by 1.7% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -1.3% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Areca Nut Production in the Middle East

In value terms, areca nut production expanded significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Jordan (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a combined 93% share of total production. Oman lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 6.9%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +3.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Areca Nut Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Areca nut exports reduced remarkably to X tons in 2022, declining by -46.1% compared with 2021. Overall, exports, however, posted significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 1,878% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, areca nut exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 538%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the one major exporters of areca nuts, namely the United Arab Emirates, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the areca nuts exports, with a CAGR of +22.6% from 2012 to 2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) also remains the largest areca nut supplier in the Middle East.

In the United Arab Emirates, areca nut exports increased at an average annual rate of +36.6% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 700%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for the United Arab Emirates.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for the United Arab Emirates amounted to +11.4% per year.

Areca Nut Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of areca nuts decreased by -0.2% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% 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 +115.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 106% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, areca nut imports totaled $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -0.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 107%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Iran (X tons) represented the largest importer of areca nuts, generating 68% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), mixing up a 28% share of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Iran experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of areca nuts. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+36.6%) and Saudi Arabia (+34.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +36.6% from 2012-2022. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+26 p.p.) and Saudi Arabia (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Iran (-29.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Iran ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported areca nuts in the Middle East, comprising 88% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with an 11% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Iran totaled +1.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+38.8% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+6.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 27% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Iran ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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