Cabbages market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, armed conflicts in the MENA region posed challenges to agricultural markets. Despite this, cabbage production showed resilience, growing from 1 249 K t in 2018 to 1 318 K t in 2019. Production stabilized around 1 315 K t in 2020, while the total market volume increased to 1 292 K t, supported by a decline in imports.

A significant expansion occurred from 2021, driven by targeted government investments. The Egyptian government allocated USD 2.73 billion to agricultural development projects like the South Valley initiative, which helped push production to 1 399 K t. Concurrently, a strategic agreement between KissanPro and Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co improved market access for produce in the region. Continued state investments in Egyptian agriculture in 2022 supported production at 1 384 K t, although a surge in exports to 172 K t that year reduced the domestic market volume to 1 247 K t.

The market rebounded in 2023 with production reaching 1 474 K t and market volume recovering to 1 348 K t. By 2024, import volumes had fallen to 11 K t while exports stood at 131 K t, reflecting ongoing trade adjustments. Key developments that year included Saudi Arabia's allocation of USD 1.2 billion for fertilizer import-substitution projects and a 35% increase in Egypt's fertilizer subsidies, both aimed at strengthening agricultural output. Furthermore, e-commerce in the region grew by 30%, altering distribution channels for fresh produce.

Production cabbages in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 1 315 K t of cabbages, showing virtually no change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 1 249 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 318 K t. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MENA's cabbage production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 410 M $ US, marking a substantial drop of 23.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 982 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a gain of 19.9%.

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

Exports cabbages from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 31.1 K t, while in 2019, they peaked at 84.6 K t, creating a 2.7-fold difference between the two years. In 2020, MENA's cabbage export volume was 51.8 K t, representing a sharp decline of 38.7% from the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, with a drop of 43.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 171.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MENA's cabbage exports were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Russia accounted for 8.8% of exports in volume, Mauritania for 7.9%, and the Netherlands for 2.7%. Together, these three countries made up only 19.4% of total exports, with many other nations holding smaller but still notable shares.

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

In 2020, MENA's cabbage exports amounted to 30 204 K $ US, reflecting a significant fall of 40.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 41.9%, with an average annual decline of 16.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 17.2%.

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

The market for cabbage exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. Russia contributed 11.8% of export value, the Netherlands 10.8%, and Mauritania 5.2%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 27.7% of total flows, while the remaining 72.3% was spread across numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports cabbages to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

MENA's cabbage import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 28.8 K t, showing a strong decrease of 15.7% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 19.4%, equating to an average annual rate of decline of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MENA's cabbage imports in volume terms came from a diverse set of partners. China represented 4.5% of imports, the Netherlands 3.1%, and Turkey 1.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 9.6% 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

In 2020, MENA's cabbage imports were valued at 29 802 K $ US, marking a strong drop of 17.0% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 27.6%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a gain of 2.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, cabbage imports to MENA in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 11.9% of import value, China for 7.1%, and India for 4.8%. Together, these three countries captured only 23.8% of total flows.

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

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