Bananas market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The banana market in GCC countries showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume surged by over 50% to 436 thousand tons in 2019, then contracted sharply the following year before entering a phase of steady expansion. By 2023, consumption had reached 365 thousand tons, reflecting a broader recovery trend.

This trajectory was shaped by shifting trade flows and rising local output. Imports, which supply the bulk of the market, fell from 453 thousand tons in 2019 to 255 thousand tons in 2021, while domestic production more than doubled from 18.5 thousand tons to 54.5 thousand tons over the same period. Exports declined markedly after 2018, freeing more supply for local consumption.

In 2024, import volumes rebounded to 428 thousand tons, approaching pre-pandemic levels. Market conditions are characterized by heavy reliance on imports to meet demand, especially from the tourism and expatriate sectors, while local production remains constrained by limited agricultural land and water resources. The adoption of updated GCC banana standards and sustainable agriculture certifications has introduced additional requirements for preparation and packaging, affecting production costs without corresponding price benefits for growers.

Production bananas in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production volumes varied 2.1 times from the low in 2018 to the high in 2020. In 2020, GCC produced 39 467 t of bananas, marking a significant increase of 110.8% compared to 2019. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 18 543 t, with the largest decline that year being 0.9%.

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

Exports bananas from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Exports varied by 4.8-fold from the low in 2020 to the high in 2018. In 2020, banana exports from GCC amounted to 32.7 K t, showing a modest decline of 7.0% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 156.3 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 77.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 27.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq was the primary market for GCC banana exports, accounting for 79.6% of total exports in kind. Other destinations played a less significant role.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, GCC's banana export value totaled 18.5 M $ US, indicating a solid rise of 20.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 35.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15.4 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 41.8 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 63.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 45.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq (55.6% of exports in value terms), Jordan (22.9%), and Afghanistan (5.5%) consistently held leading positions in the export structure by value. Together, they accounted for 84.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bananas to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, GCC imported 272.4 K t of bananas, reflecting a sharp decline of 39.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 46.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines and Ecuador continued to lead the list of import markets in kind, together accounting for 84.0% of total flows. Other partners played a supplementary role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, GCC imported 183.4 M $ US worth of bananas, indicating a drop of 42.0% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 49.4%, with a CAGR of 20.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines and Ecuador consistently accounted for 84.1% of total imports in value terms, showing a high degree of concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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