Middle East: Eggplant Market 2025

Eggplant Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern eggplant market decreased by -1.2% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Eggplant Production in the Middle East

In value terms, eggplant production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 23% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a combined 73% 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 Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average eggplant yield dropped modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, falling by -1.9% against the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 7.1%. Over the period under review, the eggplant yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2021, and then declined modestly 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, the total area harvested in terms of eggplants (aubergines) production in the Middle East reached X ha, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to eggplant production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Eggplant Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of eggplants (aubergines) exported in the Middle East shrank remarkably to X tons, which is down by -21.6% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports recorded a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 82%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, eggplant exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 36%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 47% of total exports. Iran (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 30% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (12%) and Syrian Arab Republic (7%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Iran (with a CAGR of +20.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest eggplant supplier in the Middle East, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Iran ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 7.7% share.

In Turkey, eggplant exports increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Iran (+23.1% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+4.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, 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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($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 (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Eggplant Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of eggplants (aubergines) decreased by -45.6% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 88%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, eggplant imports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 71%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

Iraq represented the largest importer of eggplants (aubergines) in the Middle East, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 52% of total imports in 2022. Qatar (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Kuwait (12%) and Lebanon (5.4%). The following importers - Saudi Arabia (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) - each accounted for a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to eggplant imports into Iraq stood at +28.4%. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+46.4%), Kuwait (+12.0%) and Qatar (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +46.4% from 2012-2022. Lebanon experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Bahrain (-2.1%) and Syrian Arab Republic (-23.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar increased by +48, +8.6, +4.2 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Iraq ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported eggplants (aubergines) in the Middle East, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with an 8.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 4.7% share.

In Iraq, eggplant imports expanded at an average annual rate of +46.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kuwait (+14.9% per year) and Qatar (+4.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 75% against the previous year. Import price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iraq (+13.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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