Middle East: Poppy Seed Market 2025

Poppy Seed Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern poppy seed market decreased by -15.3% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Poppy Seed Production in the Middle East

In value terms, poppy seed production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a mild curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 76%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest poppy seed producing country in the Middle East, accounting for 96% of total volume. Moreover, poppy seed production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Palestine (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey totaled +2.3%.

In 2022, the average yield of poppy seed in the Middle East surged to X tons per ha, rising by 101% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield recorded perceptible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 136%. Over the period under review, the poppy seed yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. 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 poppy seed production in the Middle East declined to X ha, with a decrease of -8.2% compared with the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 130%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the poppy seed harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Poppy Seed Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, overseas shipments of poppy seed increased by 250% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports posted a perceptible increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 533%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, poppy seed exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 555%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons) represented roughly 99% of total exports in 2022.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the poppy seed exports, with a CAGR of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) also remains the largest poppy seed supplier in the Middle East.

In Turkey, poppy seed exports increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, rising by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the export price increased by 35%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for Turkey.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Turkey amounted to +2.6% per year.

Poppy Seed Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of poppy seed imported in the Middle East reduced modestly to X tons, waning by -2.2% on the previous year. In general, imports showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, poppy seed imports reached $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -49.2% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 62% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Israel was the major importer of poppy seed in the Middle East, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 73% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Palestine (X tons) and Turkey (X tons), together making up a 26% share of total imports.

Imports into Israel increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+26.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +26.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Palestine (-17.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Israel (+41 p.p.) and Turkey (+10 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Palestine saw its share reduced by -47.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Israel ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported poppy seed in the Middle East, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Palestine ($X), with a 16% share of total imports.

In Israel, poppy seed imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Palestine (-8.3% per year) and Turkey (+25.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 52% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Israel ($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 (+11.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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