Middle East: Leek Market 2025

Leek Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern leek market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a pronounced downturn. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Leek Production in the Middle East

In value terms, leek production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of leek production, accounting for 87% of total volume. Moreover, leek production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Saudi Arabia (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Iran (X tons), with a 4.3% share.

In Turkey, leek production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+1.8% per year) and Iran (-9.0% per year).

The average leek yield dropped modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, stabilizing at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 6.9%. Over the period under review, the leek yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell 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, approx. X ha of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables were harvested in the Middle East; with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 19%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Leek Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, leek exports in the Middle East fell sharply to X tons, reducing by -57.8% against 2021. In general, exports recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 195%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, leek exports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 84% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 75% of total exports in 2022. Lebanon (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8.9% share, followed by Iran (6.8%) and Oman (4.8%). Kuwait (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Turkey decreased at an average annual rate of -4.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Oman (+40.8%), Iran (+32.5%), Kuwait (+19.2%) and Lebanon (+7.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +40.8% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Iran, Lebanon and Oman increased by +6.6, +6 and +4.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest leek supplier in the Middle East, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Lebanon ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Iran, with a 6.5% share.

In Turkey, leek exports decreased by an average annual rate of -4.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lebanon (+13.9% per year) and Iran (+35.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 1.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 45%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Lebanon ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lebanon (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Leek Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, supplies from abroad of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables decreased by -3.7% to X tons, falling for the seventh year in a row after four years of growth. In general, imports, however, posted a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 6,090% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, leek imports shrank to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 5,734%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Qatar (X tons), distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) represented the largest importers of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, together creating 93% of total imports. The following importers - Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) - each amounted to a 4.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Yemen (with a CAGR of +60.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest leek importing markets in the Middle East were Qatar ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a combined 90% share of total imports. Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.4%.

Among the main importing countries, Yemen, with a CAGR of +51.0%, saw 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, falling by -6% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 51%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 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 ($X per ton), while Yemen ($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 (+5.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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