Coconuts market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The coconut market volume in GCC countries expanded from 78.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 98.8 thousand tons in 2023, with notable surges in 2021 and 2023. This growth was primarily fueled by rising imports, as domestic production remained steady at 6.7 thousand tons annually. The increased demand can be attributed to a sustained rise in tourism, particularly from India, Russia, and China, which boosted consumption in hospitality and food service sectors.

Several key developments supported this trend. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 spurred large investments in cultural tourism, including new museums and heritage sites, while airlines added more direct flights between India and GCC nations. The GCC standardization strategy also helped streamline trade, facilitating coconut imports. By 2023, Indian visitor numbers to the UAE had jumped 44% year-on-year, and Russian tourist flows were projected to grow 125% between 2019 and 2023, further lifting food and beverage demand.

Market value fluctuated during the period, partly reflecting global price changes, but the physical volume rise remained robust. The continued focus on tourism diversification and regional economic integration under initiatives like the GCC standardization strategy 2026–2030 provided a stable framework for import growth, ensuring steady coconut supply to meet the escalating consumption.

Production coconuts in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

In 2019, GCC produced 6 709 tonnes of coconuts, marking the highest output during this period. Production remained stable in 2020, showing little change from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1.0%.

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

Exports coconuts from GCC

Exports in kind, t

Coconut exports from GCC have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 8 111 tonnes, representing a 21.7% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 91.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 24.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, GCC's coconut exports in kind were well-distributed rather than concentrated. Iran accounted for 12.7% of exports, Iraq for 11.9%, and Yemen for 6.3%, together making up 30.9% of total flows. The remaining 69.1% was shared among many other countries.

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, K $ US

In 2020, GCC exported coconuts worth 11 841 thousand US dollars, a sharp 31.5% year-on-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 51.9%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 74.7%, with an annualized rate of 20.4%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that GCC's coconut exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Iran represented 19.3% of exports, Iraq 15.4%, and Yemen 7.4%, together accounting for 42.1% 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 coconuts to GCC

Imports in kind, t

Coconut imports into GCC have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 80 273 tonnes, up 4.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia were the key partners for GCC's coconut imports in kind. India accounted for 58.2% of imports, Sri Lanka for 17.1%, and Indonesia for 10.7%, together representing 86.0% of total flows.

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, K $ US

In 2020, GCC's coconut imports amounted to 59 327 thousand US dollars, a 14.3% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 51 901 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 68 796 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 25.3%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8.1%, with an annualized rate of 2.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka—collectively absorbed 75.8% of GCC's total coconut imports in value terms.

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

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