Middle East: Cream Fresh Market 2025

Cream Fresh Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the Middle Eastern cream fresh market, when its value decreased by -20.5% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cream Fresh Production in the Middle East

In value terms, cream fresh production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a slight slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Saudi Arabia (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Iran (X tons), with a combined 94% share 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 Kuwait (with a CAGR of +2.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cream Fresh Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, overseas shipments of cream fresh increased by 4.2% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 150%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cream fresh exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Kuwait (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) represented the largest exporters of cream fresh in 2022, accounting for near 36% and 35% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Iran (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together achieving a 28% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Kuwait (with a CAGR of +39.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cream fresh supplying countries in the Middle East were Iran ($X), Kuwait ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), with a combined 82% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Kuwait, with a CAGR of +28.8%, 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

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 48% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The level of export peaked 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 Iran ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cream Fresh Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of cream fresh decreased by -36.3% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 143% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cream fresh imports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 52%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Bahrain (X tons) was the main importer of cream fresh, constituting 34% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Yemen (11%), Kuwait (8.3%), Saudi Arabia (8.2%), Iraq (6.3%), Oman (5.4%) and Lebanon (4.6%).

Imports into Bahrain increased at an average annual rate of +13.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Yemen (+29.4%), Oman (+15.0%), Kuwait (+11.2%), the United Arab Emirates (+3.8%) and Iraq (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Yemen emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +29.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Lebanon (-3.0%) and Saudi Arabia (-8.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Bahrain (+19 p.p.), Yemen (+9.9 p.p.), Kuwait (+3.9 p.p.) and Oman (+3.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Lebanon and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -4.9% and -22.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cream fresh importing markets in the Middle East were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Kuwait ($X) and Bahrain ($X), with a combined 54% share of total imports. Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Yemen, with a CAGR of +34.7%, saw 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, growing by 34% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a noticeable shrinkage. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a 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 Kuwait ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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