Middle East: Pork Market 2025

Pork Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in the Middle Eastern pork market, when its value decreased by -5% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Pork Production in the Middle East

In value terms, pork production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Israel (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of pork production, comprising approx. 92% of total volume. Moreover, pork production in Israel exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Lebanon (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Israel amounted to -3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lebanon (-1.0% per year) and Iran (+0.9% per year).

The average pork yield declined to X kg per head in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield showed a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 5%. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for pork production in the Middle East expanded remarkably to X heads, increasing by 5.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals, however, continues to indicate a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Pork Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Pork exports soared to X tons in 2022, growing by 29% on 2021 figures. Overall, exports posted prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 88%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, pork exports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 67% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) dominates exports structure, together making up 84% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), generating an 8.6% share of total exports. Lebanon (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +44.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 94% share of total exports.

Oman, with a CAGR of +60.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -14.1% against the previous year. In general, 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 20%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Oman ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+11.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Pork Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, supplies from abroad of pork decreased by -9.5% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 27%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, pork imports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 83% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), achieving a 4.5% share of total imports. Bahrain (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Iraq (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to pork imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +8.0%. At the same time, Turkey (+91.5%), Iraq (+25.8%), Bahrain (+3.5%) and Qatar (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +91.5% from 2012-2022. Lebanon experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey, Qatar and Iraq increased by +4.5, +1.7 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported pork in the Middle East, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bahrain ($X), with a 5.1% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +7.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bahrain (+2.7% per year) and Turkey (+71.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 4.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 15%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Qatar ($X per ton), while Iraq ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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