Citrus fruit market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Kuwait saw a substantial expansion in 2019, with volume reaching 124.6 thousand tons, up from 84.4 thousand tons in 2018. This growth was primarily driven by government food security initiatives that supported local farmers and encouraged cooperatives to source 75% of fruits and vegetables domestically, which reduced exports and increased domestic availability. The following year, market volume dipped slightly to 120.6 thousand tons as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting import flows.

Market volume recovered to 123.1 thousand tons in 2021, aided by the entry of new players into the import and export sector, which boosted supply. A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with volume falling to 68.1 thousand tons, directly linked to changes in import policy designed to enhance food security and reduce reliance on foreign supplies. By 2023, the market rebounded to 97.2 thousand tons, supported by increased investment in local agriculture and modern farming technologies.

Throughout the period, regulatory measures such as tightened quality controls, updated packaging requirements, and the establishment of inspection teams to enforce local purchasing quotas further shaped the market landscape, while the emergence of controlled farms in regions like Al Wafra and Abdali gradually diversified local production.

Production citrus fruit in Kuwait

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2019, Kuwait's citrus fruit production reached its lowest point at 665.2 t, declining by 38.0% from the previous year. However, production rebounded significantly in 2020, reaching 840.0 t—a dramatic 26.3% year-over-year increase. The peak production occurred in 2018 at 1 072.4 t, which represented a 26.8% rise from the prior year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of citrus fruit production in Kuwait hit its minimum at 245.1 K $ US, marking a 39.5% decline. The following year, in 2020, output surged to 387.4 K $ US, a substantial 58.1% increase compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 405.3 K $ US. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 33.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kuwait in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Kuwait

Exports in kind, K t

Kuwait's citrus fruit export volume has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports stood at 1.3 K t, a steep 46.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 97.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 71.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kuwait's citrus fruit exports were almost exclusively directed to Iraq, which accounted for 95.9% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Kuwait's citrus fruit export value has fallen for three straight years. In 2020, exports were recorded at 598 K $ US, a sharp 33.5% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 96.9%, with an annualized rate of decline of 68.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait's citrus fruit exports in value terms were nearly entirely supplied to Iraq, which absorbed 96.0% of the total.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Kuwait

Imports in kind, K t

Kuwait's citrus fruit import volume has decreased for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 121.1 K t, down 4.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume declined by 8.8%, with an annualized decrease of 3.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Egypt, South Africa, and Lebanon—collectively represented 75.2% of Kuwait's total citrus fruit import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Kuwait's citrus fruit import value increased in 2020, reaching 86 980 K $ US—a moderate 9.7% uptick from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 79 301 K $ US, which saw a 10.4% drop. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Kuwait's citrus fruit imports in value terms were South Africa (34.9%), Egypt (22.8%), and Lebanon (17.3%). Together, these three markets accounted for 74.9% of total import flows.

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

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