Middle East: Carob Market 2024

Carob Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern carob market decreased by -8.4% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, posted a strong expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Carob Production in the Middle East

In value terms, carob production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

The country with the largest volume of carob production was Turkey (X tons), accounting for 79% of total volume. Moreover, carob production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Lebanon (X tons), fivefold. Jordan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 1.8% share.

In Turkey, carob production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Lebanon (+6.8% per year) and Jordan (+13.1% per year).

In 2022, the average carob yield in the Middle East shrank to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -9.8% on 2021. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 25%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha, and then dropped 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.

In 2022, approx. X ha of carob were harvested in the Middle East; picking up by 6.8% on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Carob Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of carob increased by 62% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports showed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 120%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, carob exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed significant growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the major exporter of carob in the Middle East, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 68% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Lebanon (X tons) and Jordan (X tons), together constituting a 29% share of total exports. Israel (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to carob exports from Turkey stood at +12.5%. At the same time, Jordan (+111.7%), Israel (+28.1%) and Lebanon (+20.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Jordan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +111.7% from 2012-2022. While the share of Lebanon (+8.2 p.p.), Jordan (+7.5 p.p.) and Israel (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Turkey (-16.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) emerged as the largest carob supplier in the Middle East, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Lebanon ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Jordan, with a 1.5% share.

In Turkey, carob exports increased at an average annual rate of +19.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lebanon (+31.2% per year) and Jordan (+45.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 25% against the previous year. Export price indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Jordan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lebanon (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Carob Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, supplies from abroad of carob decreased by -14.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, showed a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 181% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, carob imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 108%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) was the largest importer of carob, achieving 71% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Israel (X tons), constituting a 21% share of total imports. The following importers - Jordan (X tons) and Palestine (X tons) - each accounted for a 4.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to carob imports into Turkey stood at +19.8%. At the same time, Israel (+29.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +29.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Jordan (-2.1%) and Palestine (-17.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+36 p.p.) and Israel (+16 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Jordan and Palestine saw its share reduced by -6.4% and -33% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported carob in the Middle East, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Israel ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Palestine, with a 7.2% share.

In Turkey, carob imports expanded at an average annual rate of +20.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Israel (+14.2% per year) and Palestine (-2.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -10.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 58%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 Palestine ($X per ton), while Israel ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Palestine (+17.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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