Middle East: Banana Market 2025

Banana Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern banana market decreased by -3.1% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% 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 -4.4% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Banana Production in the Middle East

In value terms, banana production rose to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Turkey (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together comprising 80% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +21.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average banana yield in the Middle East declined slightly to X tons per ha, waning by -2.9% compared with the year before. The yield indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, banana yield increased by +99.5% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the yield increased by 22%. Over the period under review, the banana yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell 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 banana harvested area dropped slightly to X ha in 2022, leveling off at the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 9.5%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to banana production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Banana Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Banana exports declined significantly to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -80% on the year before. In general, exports showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 920%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, banana exports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 847%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Kuwait (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) represented the key exporters of bananas in the Middle East, together achieving 63% of total exports. Lebanon (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 16% share, followed by the United Arab Emirates (9.6%) and Turkey (8.9%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +80.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), Kuwait ($X) and Lebanon ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 74% of total exports. The United Arab Emirates and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Among the main exporting countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +51.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Lebanon ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($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 (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Banana Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, supplies from abroad of bananas decreased by -18.1% to X tons, falling for the fifth year in a row after six years of growth. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 69%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, banana imports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of bananas, namely Iraq, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Kuwait (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Turkey (X tons) and Oman (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 17% share of total imports. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +54.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iran ($X), Iraq ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 72% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +51.3%, 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 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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