Alliaceous vegetables market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled alliaceous vegetables in the MENA region grew steadily from 10 032 thousand tons in 2018 to 12 023 thousand tons in 2021. This expansion was initially supported by the increasing digitalization of fruit and vegetable supply chains, which improved logistics and reduced waste. The rise accelerated in 2021 due to a notable increase in North African horticultural production and a strategic agreement facilitating agricultural trade access to the Middle East.

Market volume moderated to 11 533 thousand tons in 2022 and 11 417 thousand tons in 2023. During this period, Egyptian government investments in agricultural production projects, the development of in-store hydroponic farms, and the opening of new cold storage facilities aimed at strengthening the supply chain. Concurrently, growing demand for fresh fruit exports from Egypt and the rising significance of onions as a regional staple highlighted evolving market dynamics.

Onions remain a central commodity in the MENA region, with Arab countries among the world's largest producers and exporters, underscoring the product's continued importance in the local market structure.

Production alliaceous vegetables in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

MENA's alliaceous vegetable production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 10 551 K t, marking a modest 6.3% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Alliaceous vegetable exports from MENA have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 822 K t, showing a significant 28.3% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16.2%, with an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 601 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of alliaceous vegetable exports in kind remained highly diversified. Russia accounted for 5.7% of exports, the Netherlands for 4.5%, and the United Kingdom for 3.7%, together making up only 14.0% of total flows. The remaining 86.0% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from MENA in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign alliaceous vegetable supplies from MENA have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 516.8 M $ US, representing a 4.3% rise from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports grew by 58.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 325.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 0.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 52.4% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, alliaceous vegetable exports in value terms from MENA were relatively evenly distributed. Russia contributed 7.8% of exports, the Netherlands 6.2%, and the United Kingdom 4.3%, jointly accounting for only 18.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from MENA in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, alliaceous vegetable import volumes in MENA have increased. In 2020, the region imported 1 126 K t, equivalent to a 28.6% advance over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.8%, with an annualized rate of -1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 126 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Over 2017–2020, imports in kind of alliaceous vegetables to MENA were widely dispersed across partner countries. India accounted for 29.9% of imports, China for 10.6%, and Turkey for 6.7%, together representing only 47.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to MENA in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, MENA's alliaceous vegetable import volume has increased. In 2020, import volume stood at 756.7 M $ US, corresponding to a 17.6% advance compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 2.4%, with a CAGR of 0.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 643.4 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2017–2020, China, India, and Spain consistently remained the main destinations for alliaceous vegetable imports in value terms. China accounted for 25.8% of imports, India for 20.7%, and Spain for 5.7%, together making up 52.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to MENA in value, 2017-2020