Canary seeds market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The canary seed market in the MENA region exhibited considerable volatility in volume from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 27 thousand tons in 2018, the market expanded to 34 thousand tons in 2019. This growth coincided with the emergence of market reports indicating rising interest and positive long-term growth forecasts, which likely encouraged higher import volumes and consumption during that period.

Following the 2019 peak, market size fluctuated, declining to 31 thousand tons in 2020 and 27 thousand tons in 2021. A sharp recovery to 35 thousand tons occurred in 2022, driven by a surge in imports, before a dramatic contraction to 23 thousand tons in 2023. These swings were primarily tied to volatile import levels, which peaked near 40 thousand tons in 2019 but fell to 27 thousand tons by 2023.

By 2024, broader market dynamics included growing consumer awareness of the nutritional benefits of canary seeds. Concurrently, regional governments, notably Egypt, have been channeling investments into large-scale integrated agricultural development projects, such as the South Valley and Toshka development project, aimed at boosting overall agricultural output. These elements contribute to the evolving landscape for seed markets in the region.

Production canary seeds in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of canary seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of canary seeds, 2017-2020

MENA's canary seeds production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 91 950 kg, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 92 520 kg, which represented a modest 0.1% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports canary seeds from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 9.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MENA exported 2 780 t of canary seeds, down by 52.5% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 852 t, marking a substantial 434.4% increase from the prior year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Pakistan consistently served as the main markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 3.8% of total 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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.3-fold change between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of canary seeds from MENA reached 2 023 K $ US, reflecting a dramatic decline of 46.7% compared to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 794 K $ US, which represented an 87.3% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (2.9% of exports in value terms), Pakistan (0.9% of exports in value terms), and Free Zones (0.6% of exports in value terms) made the biggest contributions to exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 4.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports canary seeds to MENA

Imports in kind, t

MENA imported 33 385 t of canary seeds in 2020, constituting a strong decline of 15.9% compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 27 825 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 39 718 t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 42.7% rise from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (51.5% of imports in kind), India (11.8% of imports in kind), and Belgium (6.7% of imports in kind) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of canary seeds imports to MENA, with a combined share of 70.0% of total 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

MENA imported a total of 19 779 K $ US of canary seeds in 2020, representing a limited contraction of 8.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 14 615 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 21 722 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 10.9% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a 48.6% rise from the prior year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (53.3% of imports in value terms), Belgium (8.7% of imports in value terms), and India (8.5% of imports in value terms) together accounted for 70.6% of total imports in value terms, remaining the main destinations for canary seeds to MENA.

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

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