Aubergines market in Qatar

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the aubergines market in Qatar experienced significant expansion, with production surging from 2 902 tonnes to 10 702 tonnes and total market volume growing from 9 915 tonnes to 18 418 tonnes. This growth was propelled by the launch of Qatar's Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022, which prioritized agricultural support and food security. Government incentives for modern farming techniques, including vertical farming, boosted local output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 intensified focus on domestic capabilities, prompting new companies to enter the fresh produce supply chain. By 2022, ministerial decisions to slash service fees for businesses stimulated further investment, while a shift in consumer preferences towards healthier diets increased demand for fresh vegetables.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 12 801 tonnes, primarily due to a sharp decline in imports from 7 716 tonnes to 2 017 tonnes, even as domestic production remained stable at 10 784 tonnes. This adjustment occurred alongside continued private investment in agricultural technology and ongoing government initiatives under Qatar's National Food Security Strategy 2030. Recent regulatory measures, such as the 2024 ministerial decision reducing service fees by over 90%, aim to further enhance local production and reduce import dependency.

Production aubergines in Qatar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2,902 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 5,770 tonnes, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 times. In 2019, production saw the largest increase of 85.8%, followed by a more modest gain of 7.0% in 2020 compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Qatar in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports aubergines from Qatar

According to the market report, Qatar did not export any aubergines between 2017 and 2020.

Imports aubergines to Qatar

Imports in kind, t

Aubergine imports to Qatar reached 7,364 tonnes in 2020, marking a solid increase of 11.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for aubergine imports to Qatar in volume terms were Iran, accounting for 66.0% of imports, Saudi Arabia with 13.9%, and India at 7.4%. Together, these three countries represented 87.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, aubergine imports to Qatar increased in 2020, reaching 3,740 thousand US dollars, up by 8.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 26.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3,443 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 26.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key sources for aubergine imports to Qatar in value terms were Iran, contributing 28.8% of imports, India at 21.9%, and Lebanon with 17.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.0% of total import flows.

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

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