Middle East: Spinach Market 2024

Spinach Market Size in the Middle East

After two years of decline, the Middle Eastern spinach market increased by 7.6% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Spinach Production in the Middle East

In value terms, spinach production expanded remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of spinach production was Turkey (X tons), comprising approx. 65% of total volume. Moreover, spinach production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), twofold.

In Turkey, spinach production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (+7.3% per year) and Jordan (+17.4% per year).

In 2022, the average spinach yield in the Middle East reached X tons per ha, stabilizing at the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 16%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of spinach in the Middle East stood at X ha, surging by 1.6% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 15%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the spinach harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Spinach Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Spinach exports contracted sharply to X tons in 2022, dropping by -40.4% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 170% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, spinach exports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 93%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Turkey prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 76% of total exports in 2022. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took a 9.3% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Lebanon (7.5%) and Palestine (6%). Jordan (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to spinach exports from Turkey stood at -7.1%. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+35.0%), Jordan (+31.9%), Palestine (+3.8%) and Lebanon (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +35.0% from 2012-2022. The United Arab Emirates (+9.1 p.p.), Lebanon (+3.7 p.p.), Palestine (+3.5 p.p.) and Jordan (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Turkey saw its share reduced by -17.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest spinach supplier in the Middle East, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Lebanon ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an 18% share.

In Turkey, spinach exports plunged by an average annual rate of -12.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lebanon (+3.5% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+50.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, rising by 21% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 65%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 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 Lebanon ($X per ton), while Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+23.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Spinach Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, purchases abroad of spinach increased by 8.6% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 239% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, spinach imports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 92%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the largest importer of spinach, creating 53% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Qatar (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held near 39% share of total imports. Oman (X tons), Jordan (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to spinach imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +8.7%. At the same time, Jordan (+159.6%), Saudi Arabia (+34.8%), Bahrain (+24.3%), Kuwait (+19.1%), Oman (+9.7%) and Qatar (+8.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Jordan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +159.6% from 2012-2022. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+14 p.p.), Qatar (+13 p.p.), Kuwait (+12 p.p.) and Jordan (+3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates (-29.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported spinach in the Middle East, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Qatar ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled +14.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Qatar (+24.1% per year) and Kuwait (+26.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 87%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+14.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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