Saudi Arabia: Cabbage Market 2025

Cabbage Market Size in Saudi Arabia

In 2022, the Saudi cabbage market increased by 92% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption enjoyed strong growth. Cabbage consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Cabbage Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, cabbage production shrank remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 78%. Cabbage production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average cabbage yield in Saudi Arabia was estimated at X tons per ha, standing approx. at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 42%. Over the period under review, the average cabbage yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cabbage harvested area in Saudi Arabia fell slightly to X ha in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, enjoyed a modest increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 58%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the cabbage harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cabbage Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2021, the amount of cabbage and other brassicas exported from Saudi Arabia rose notably to X tons, growing by 6.2% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports recorded perceptible growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 84% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cabbage exports reduced notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Kuwait (X tons) was the main destination for cabbage exports from Saudi Arabia, with a 80% share of total exports. Moreover, cabbage exports to Kuwait exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Bahrain (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Kuwait amounted to +12.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Bahrain (+64.2% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-6.5% per year).

In value terms, Kuwait ($X) remains the key foreign market for cabbage and other brassicas exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bahrain ($X), with a 14% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Kuwait stood at +6.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Bahrain (+11.2% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-9.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cabbage export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -25.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 22% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Qatar (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Cabbage Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2022, cabbage imports into Saudi Arabia fell notably to X tons, with a decrease of -50% on the year before. Overall, imports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 245%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then plummeted in the following year.

In value terms, cabbage imports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 140% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cabbage to Saudi Arabia, accounting for a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, cabbage imports from Egypt exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), fourfold. Jordan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Egypt stood at +21.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (0.0% per year) and Jordan (-93.4% per year).

In value terms, Egypt ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Jordan ($X) were the largest cabbage suppliers to Saudi Arabia, together comprising 69% of total imports.

Egypt, with a CAGR of +9.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average cabbage import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 58%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($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 (-3.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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