Aubergines market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the aubergine market in Southern Asia maintained a stable physical volume, averaging around 14,000 thousand tons annually. This consistency was supported by growing consumer interest in fresh, local, and sustainable foods, as well as technological advances in precision agriculture that helped optimize production. However, the market's value declined sharply from $5.4 billion in 2019 to $3.9 billion in 2020.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume remained steady between 14,000 and 14,200 thousand tons, while the market value stabilized around $3.1 billion. During this period, the expansion of modern retail—driven by policy changes allowing full foreign direct investment in food retail—and sustained consumer preferences for healthy, organic products with transparent labeling helped underpin demand. Increased investment in cold chain logistics also aimed to preserve freshness for both local consumption and export markets.

Production aubergines in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Asia's aubergine production saw its largest decline of 0.8%. The following year, in 2020, production remained relatively stable at 14,078 thousand tonnes, showing little change from 2019. The peak production was recorded earlier in 2018 at 14,140 thousand tonnes, which represented the largest increase of 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After rising for two consecutive years, Southern Asia's aubergine production value declined in 2020. Output was valued at 3,936 million US dollars, down 27.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 7%, averaging an annual decline of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5,438 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 26.6% in 2018.

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

Exports aubergines from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, aubergine exports from Southern Asia declined in 2020. Export volume reached 132.3 thousand tonnes, a modest decrease of 7.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 37.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 143.2 thousand tonnes, after the largest increase of 36.8% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for aubergine exports from Southern Asia were Iraq, accounting for 64.4% of exports in volume, the United Arab Emirates with 9.0%, and Russia with 4.8%. Together, these three markets represented 78.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After increasing for two years, the value of aubergine exports from Southern Asia fell in 2020. Exports amounted to 36,978 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 33.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 25.1%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 55,512 thousand US dollars, following the largest increase of 69.0% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary markets for aubergine exports from Southern Asia in value terms were Iraq, representing 64.5% of exports, the United Arab Emirates with 9.0%, and Russia with 4.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports aubergines to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.2 thousand tonnes, marking the largest decline of 63.4%. In 2019, imports surged by 674.0%, the largest increase recorded. By 2020, import volume rose to 6.3 thousand tonnes, up 247.7% from 2019, resulting in a 27-fold variation between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data indicates a volatile market environment with irregular changes. Import value dropped to its minimum in 2017 and climbed to its maximum in 2020, showing a 4-fold shift. In 2019, the largest decline of 2.2% was recorded. By 2020, import value increased by 260.5% year-on-year.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates contributed 4.7% to imports in value terms, Thailand 2.0%, and Turkey 0.7%. Together, these three sources accounted for 7.3% of total import flows.

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

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