Middle East: Tomato Market 2025

Tomato Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern tomato market expanded to $X in 2022, growing by 3.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the market value increased by 7.2% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Production in the Middle East

In value terms, tomato production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of tomato production was Turkey (X tons), comprising approx. 62% of total volume. Moreover, tomato production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey amounted to +1.5%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-4.5% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (+4.9% per year).

The average tomato yield fell slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, standing approx. at 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% 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 2017 with an increase of 8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the tomato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped slightly 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.

The tomato harvested area expanded modestly to X ha in 2022, surging by 1.9% on the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a perceptible contraction. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, approx. X tons of tomatoes were exported in the Middle East; shrinking by -19.3% against 2021. Overall, exports recorded a pronounced setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tomato exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 29%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 62% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Jordan (X tons), together mixing up a 37% share of total exports.

Turkey experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of tomatoes. At the same time, Iran (+52.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iran emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +52.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-3.1%) and Jordan (-14.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+14 p.p.) and Iran (+12 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Jordan saw its share reduced by -24% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest tomato supplier in the Middle East, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Jordan ($X), with a 9.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Syrian Arab Republic, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Jordan (-14.5% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-2.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 13% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (+0.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Tomato Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, approx. X tons of tomatoes were imported in the Middle East; with a decrease of -3.5% against the previous year. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tomato imports totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons) was the largest importer of tomatoes, committing 48% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Qatar (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together achieving a 39% share of total imports. The following importers - Bahrain (X tons) and Israel (X tons) - each amounted to a 7.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato imports into Saudi Arabia stood at +4.8%. At the same time, Israel (+49.9%), Bahrain (+9.6%), Qatar (+3.2%) and Kuwait (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +49.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-1.4%) and the United Arab Emirates (-13.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+19 p.p.), Israel (+3.5 p.p.), Bahrain (+2.6 p.p.), Kuwait (+2.4 p.p.) and Qatar (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Syrian Arab Republic (-1.7 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (-17.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tomatoes in the Middle East, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Israel, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Saudi Arabia totaled +7.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-6.0% per year) and Israel (+73.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Israel ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+15.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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