Middle East: Cow Peas Market 2025

Cow Peas Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was growth in the Middle Eastern cow peas market, when its value increased by less than 0.1% to $X. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cow Peas Production in the Middle East

In value terms, cow peas production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a perceptible increase 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, production decreased by -10.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 74% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cow peas production was Yemen (X tons), comprising approx. 94% of total volume. It was followed by Lebanon (X tons), with a 1.8% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Yemen stood at -1.6%.

In 2022, the average yield of cow peas (dry) in the Middle East rose to X tons per ha, picking up by 1.8% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the yield increased by 8.6%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 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, the cow peas harvested area in the Middle East rose modestly to X ha, surging by 1.8% against 2021. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 43% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the cow peas harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Cow Peas Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, exports of cow peas (dry) in the Middle East dropped sharply to X tons, which is down by -22% compared with 2021. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 69%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cow peas exports dropped dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a mild setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 24%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the main exporter of cow peas (dry), committing 64% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Lebanon (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Turkey (X tons), together achieving a 27% share of total exports. Israel (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Israel (+54.9%) and Lebanon (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +54.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-2.1%), Iran (-3.9%) and Turkey (-9.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Lebanon increased by +22, +4.3 and +3.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest cow peas supplier in the Middle East, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lebanon ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +2.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lebanon (+1.3% per year) and Turkey (-13.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, growing by 8.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 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 Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($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 (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cow Peas Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of cow peas (dry) imported in the Middle East stood at X tons, surging by 8.1% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 96% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cow peas imports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a noticeable setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 40% of total imports. Iran (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Yemen (X tons) and Iraq (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 46% share of total imports. The following importers - Lebanon (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each accounted for an 8.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cow peas imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +9.6%. At the same time, Iraq (+21.6%), Kuwait (+13.8%) and Yemen (+13.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iraq emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +21.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Oman (-1.3%), Iran (-10.2%) and Lebanon (-13.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+25 p.p.), Iraq (+12 p.p.), Yemen (+11 p.p.) and Kuwait (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Lebanon (-8.4 p.p.) and Iran (-29 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Iran ($X) and Iraq ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 69% share of total imports. Lebanon, Yemen, Kuwait and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Among the main importing countries, Kuwait, with a CAGR of +17.5%, 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

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -15.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 47%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Lebanon ($X per ton), while Yemen ($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 (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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