Apples, pears and quinces market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for apples, pears and quinces in the MENA region expanded from 6.2 million tons in 2018 to 7.1 million tons in 2021. This growth was fueled by substantial Egyptian government investments in integrated agricultural development projects, such as South Valley (Toshka) and rural initiatives, which boosted domestic production capacity. The entry of new players through a strategic agreement between KissanPro and Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co in 2021 further facilitated access to agricultural products, increasing import flows and overall market supply.

Following the peak in 2021, market volume contracted to 6.6 million tons in 2022, a correction that took place even as public investments continued to target long-term agricultural output. By 2023, the market stabilized at 6.6 million tons, supported by evolving consumer preferences toward sustainable and green products—a trend amplified by environmental influencers—and by rising demand for grocery delivery services and diverse culinary experiences.

By 2024, a 30% expansion in regional e-commerce and ongoing retail infrastructure investments were strengthening distribution channels for fresh fruits. Concurrently, the Gaza-Israel conflict introduced economic uncertainty, while government policies, including increased fertilizer subsidies and import substitution programs, aimed to lower production costs and reduce reliance on imports.

Production apples, pears and quinces in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

Production of apples, pears, and quinces in the MENA region has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5,944 thousand tons, marking a 1.9% rise from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 2.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5,672 thousand tons, when output fell by 7.0%—the steepest drop in the period. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production growing by 2.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of apples, pears, and quinces production in the MENA region has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4,152 million US dollars, representing a slight decrease of 2.5% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value dropped significantly by 24.1%, averaging an annual decline of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, MENA's exports of apples, pears, and quinces by volume declined in 2020. The region exported 682 thousand tons that year, down 2.7% from 2019. Despite this recent dip, exports increased substantially by 69.8% over the 2017-2020 period, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.3%. The peak volume was reached in 2019 at 700 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 48.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan, Russia, and India were the top buyers of apples, pears, and quinces from the MENA region, accounting for 18.1%, 9.9%, and 4.1% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was just 32.1% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified market structure with many other countries involved.

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

After rising for two years, the value of MENA's cross-border shipments of apples, pears, and quinces fell in 2020. Exports totaled 476 million US dollars that year, a 6.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the longer term from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 32.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 511 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 30.3%.

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

The value-based export structure from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diverse set of trading partners. Afghanistan, Russia, and Turkmenistan were the leading destinations, contributing 16.0%, 9.8%, and 3.4% of export value, respectively. Together, they accounted for only 29.1% of total flows, while the remaining 70.9% was spread across numerous smaller markets, highlighting the region's broad export network.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, MENA imported 1,212 thousand tons of apples, pears, and quinces, a 16.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports saw a modest overall increase of 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 973 thousand tons, when imports fell by 17.4%—the largest decline in the period. Conversely, 2019 recorded the highest volume at 1,449 thousand tons, with imports surging by 48.9%, the biggest annual increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and Poland were the main suppliers of apples, pears, and quinces to the MENA region by volume, accounting for 14.6%, 11.9%, and 7.5% of imports in kind, respectively. Their combined share was 33.9% of total imports, reflecting a diversified sourcing structure with many other countries contributing to the supply.

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

MENA's imports of apples, pears, and quinces by value totaled 1,241 million US dollars in 2020, down 6.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, import value increased by 14.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1,080 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 1,321 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 22.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy, Poland, and the United States were the leading suppliers of apples, pears, and quinces to MENA by value, representing 19.2%, 9.4%, and 7.2% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, they accounted for 35.8% of total imports, but this share was not dominant, as the remaining 64.2% came from a wide array of smaller partners, underscoring the region's varied import sources.

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

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