Middle East: Strawberry Market 2025

Strawberry Market Size in the Middle East

After four years of growth, the Middle Eastern strawberry market decreased by -4.5% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Strawberry Production in the Middle East

In value terms, strawberry production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 29%. The level of production peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest strawberry producing country in the Middle East, comprising approx. 78% of total volume. Moreover, strawberry production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Yemen (X tons), with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey amounted to +5.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (+7.5% per year) and Yemen (+1.8% per year).

The average strawberry yield contracted to X tons per ha in 2022, falling by -3.8% compared with the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the yield increased by 14%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha, and then shrank 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 strawberries production in the Middle East reduced to X ha, almost unchanged from 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to strawberry production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Strawberry Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, overseas shipments of strawberries decreased by -21.9% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, showed perceptible growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 79% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, strawberry exports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a perceptible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Turkey prevails in exports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 93% of total exports in 2022. Jordan (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kuwait (+54.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +54.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Jordan (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey and Kuwait increased by +5.8 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest strawberry supplier in the Middle East, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Jordan ($X), with a 15% share of total exports.

In Turkey, strawberry exports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Jordan (+1.1% per year) and Kuwait (+25.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -22.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, 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 Jordan ($X per ton), while Turkey ($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 (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Strawberry Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of strawberries imported in the Middle East fell rapidly to X tons, waning by -49.9% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, strawberry imports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then fell markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), distantly followed by Iraq (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Oman (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) were the key importers of strawberries, together constituting 99% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +49.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Kuwait ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 73% of total imports. Oman, Syrian Arab Republic, Bahrain and Iraq lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

Syrian Arab Republic, with a CAGR of +60.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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, growing by 34% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.8%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Oman (+8.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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