Middle East: Cabbage Market 2025

Cabbage Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern cabbage market amounted to $X in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cabbage Production in the Middle East

In value terms, cabbage production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -4.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 24%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Turkey (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cabbage production, accounting for 57% of total volume. Moreover, cabbage production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey stood at +2.0%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-0.1% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (+4.7% per year).

The average cabbage yield rose markedly to X tons per ha in 2022, increasing by 13% on the year before. In general, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of cabbage and other brassicas were harvested in the Middle East; which is down by -11.8% against 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 31% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha, and then fell in the following year.

Cabbage Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, approx. X tons of cabbage and other brassicas were exported in the Middle East; declining by -18.9% on the year before. Overall, exports showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 74%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cabbage exports fell to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Iran represented the largest exporter of cabbage and other brassicas in the Middle East, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near 54% of total exports in 2022. Turkey (X tons) held a 29% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Syrian Arab Republic (6.6%) and Jordan (4.8%). The following exporters - Israel (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) - each recorded a 4.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +16.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest cabbage supplying countries in the Middle East were Iran ($X), Turkey ($X) and Syrian Arab Republic ($X), together comprising 81% of total exports.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +15.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Iran ($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 (+9.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cabbage Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, cabbage imports in the Middle East reduced remarkably to X tons, shrinking by -27.3% against 2021 figures. In general, imports saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 111%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cabbage imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Qatar was the major importer of cabbage and other brassicas in the Middle East, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was near 39% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Israel (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons), together committing a 57% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cabbage imports into Qatar stood at +4.3%. At the same time, Israel (+20.2%), Saudi Arabia (+17.4%) and Turkey (+6.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +20.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Bahrain (-1.9%), Lebanon (-12.2%), the United Arab Emirates (-16.1%) and Kuwait (-16.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Qatar (+27 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+8 p.p.), Israel (+6.9 p.p.), Turkey (+6.5 p.p.) and Bahrain (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Lebanon, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -6.5%, -13.1% and -18.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest cabbage importing markets in the Middle East were Qatar ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Israel ($X), with a combined 64% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Israel, with a CAGR of +21.9%, recorded 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

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -1.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the import price increased by 32% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the import prices remained 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 ($X per ton), while Turkey ($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 (+7.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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