Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for capsicum and pimenta fruits in the MENA region grew from 2 541 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 701 thousand tons in 2019, supported by the expansion of cold chain infrastructure, exemplified by the opening of a new refrigerated storage facility that improved logistics for perishable goods. In 2020, the market stabilized at 2 679 thousand tons as Jordan emerged as a significant exporter, with new players entering the market and expanding trade opportunities to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, pulling market volume down to 2 278 thousand tons. During this period, a digital supply chain agreement between an agri-tech firm and a Dubai-based distributor aimed to enhance market access, though it did not prevent the annual decline. The market rebounded strongly in 2022, reaching 2 768 thousand tons, and continued to grow to 2 983 thousand tons in 2023.

By 2024, historically high temperatures in the region began affecting pepper cultivation, requiring adaptive measures like shade nets in greenhouses. Simultaneously, e-commerce growth of 30% and the expansion of Saudi Arabia's agricultural market pointed to ongoing shifts in distribution channels and trade policies.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of growth, capsicum and pimenta fruit production in the MENA region experienced a decline. In 2020, output reached 2 866 thousand tonnes, representing a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 2 893 thousand tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 7.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of capsicum and pimenta fruit production in the MENA region amounted to 3 684 million US dollars, marking an 8.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the total value of production fell by 20%, with an average annual decline of 7.2%. The sharpest drop was observed in 2018 at 19.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 9.3%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, MENA's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports reached 285.5 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate increase of 4.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 36.4%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 10.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 300.7 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 8.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 43.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of exports in volume terms was highly diversified. Russia accounted for 19.3% of exports, Spain for 15.1%, and France for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 45.8% of total export flows, with the remaining 54.2% distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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, M $ US

Capsicum and pimenta fruit exports from the MENA region declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 367.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 3.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 402.5 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.1%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 7.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Spain, and France were the primary markets for MENA's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports in value terms. Russia accounted for 25.9% of export value, Spain for 15.6%, and France for 13.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 55.1% of total export 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 capsicum and pimenta fruits to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, MENA imported 99.0 thousand tonnes of capsicum and pimenta fruits, representing a substantial increase of 21.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.0%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 at 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, capsicum and pimenta fruit imports into the MENA region were sourced from a wide range of markets. India accounted for 31.2% of import volume, the Netherlands for 2.1%, and Turkey for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented 34.6% of total import volume, while the remaining 65.4% came from many smaller suppliers.

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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of capsicum and pimenta fruit imports into the MENA region totaled 133.0 million US dollars, marking a 2.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 3.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 129.4 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 6.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 5.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country breakdown of import value remained scattered. India accounted for 36.3% of import value, the Netherlands for 8.6%, and Spain for 2.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 47.8% of total import flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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