Aubergines market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the fresh aubergines market in the MENA region stood at 2.6 million tonnes. The period saw focused production efforts in Morocco, including the cultivation of the VIDAL F1 variety, aimed at both local consumption and export markets. The establishment of integrated and diversified production lines targeting domestic and international outlets supported the overall market volume, while imports remained low at 43 000 tonnes and exports began to rise.

From 2019 to 2022, the market expanded consistently, peaking at 3.5 million tonnes in 2022, a 16% increase from the previous year. This growth was underpinned by rising domestic production, which reached 3.5 million tonnes in 2022, coupled with a continued decline in imports to 21 000 tonnes. In 2023, the market adjusted to 3.2 million tonnes as production eased to 3.3 million tonnes, while exports remained a significant outlet at 62 000 tonnes.

Recent developments highlight ongoing structural influences on the market. Enhanced cold chain logistics and smart packaging in the UAE are improving the distribution of fresh produce like aubergines across the region. Simultaneously, Morocco's continued supply of African markets following the lifting of certain product bans supports export flows, and Egypt's strong agricultural export performance, which includes aubergines, underscores the importance of regional trade.

Production aubergines in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Aubergine production in the MENA region grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 879 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.0% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 597 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 4.1%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with production jumping by 8.7%.

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

Exports aubergines from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of aubergines from the MENA region showed significant fluctuations over the period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 29.3 thousand tonnes, which represented a sharp decline of 48.0% from the previous year. Volumes then rebounded strongly in 2019, surging by 148.9%. By 2020, exports peaked at 87.7 thousand tonnes, a substantial 20.1% increase from 2019. Overall, from 2018 to 2020, export volumes shifted by a factor of three.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for MENA's aubergine exports in volume terms were Afghanistan, Russia, and Azerbaijan. Afghanistan accounted for 11.7% of exports, Russia for 5.5%, and Azerbaijan for 2.7%. Together, these three countries made up 19.9% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of aubergine exports from the MENA region declined. In 2020, exports totaled 47 169 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 27.6% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 65 125 thousand US dollars, following an increase of 17.9% in 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 8.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan, Russia, and Azerbaijan were among the largest buyers of aubergines from the MENA region in value terms. Afghanistan accounted for 9.1% of export value, Russia for 8.4%, and Azerbaijan for 2.3%. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 19.8% of total export value, indicating a highly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports aubergines to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Aubergine imports into the MENA region fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to [value_last_year] thousand tonnes, a decrease of 42.9% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 42.7 thousand tonnes, which followed a significant increase of 37.3% that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 24.5%, corresponding to an average annual rate of 8.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey and India were the leading sources of aubergine imports into the MENA region in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 3.7% of total import 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, K $ US

Following two years of gains, the value of aubergine imports into the MENA region dropped. In 2020, imports stood at 34 451 thousand US dollars, a steep decline of 37.6% from 2019. The peak value was in 2019 at 55 202 thousand US dollars, after an increase of 21.9% in 2018. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 22.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the distribution of aubergine import value into the MENA region was highly fragmented. India accounted for 4.9% of import value, the Netherlands for 2.7%, and Turkey for 1.4%. Together, these three countries made up just 9.0% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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