Dried apricots market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The dried apricots market in the MENA region reached 22 659 t in 2018 and expanded to 28 579 t the following year, underpinned by the area's established dominance as a major producer with high capacity and a suitable climate. Market volume then eased to 26 250 t in 2020.

A pronounced downturn occurred in 2021, shrinking the market to 16 992 t. That September, a partnership between India's KissanPro and Dubai's Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co was formed to ease agricultural produce access to the Middle East, potentially influencing dried fruit trade flows. In 2022, Egypt's investment of approximately $2.73 billion in integrated agricultural development projects, including the South Valley (Toshka) initiative, bolstered regional fruit production capacity, although the overall market volume slipped slightly further to 15 603 t. A rebound took hold in 2023, with volume recovering to 21 052 t, a period that coincided with reported growth in the global dried apricots market. By 2024, the market landscape was being shaped by government drives to diversify economies away from oil, notable activity in initial public offerings bringing new players, rising consumer demand for sustainable and organic products, and the strong expansion of e-commerce and modern packaging across the region.

Production dried apricots in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, MENA's dried apricot production rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 6,721 tons of dried apricots, marking a gradual increase of 4.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6,446 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 10.8%.

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

Exports dried apricots from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 745 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 1,567 tons, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, dried apricot deliveries from MENA reached 1,252 tons, reflecting a sharp increase of 68.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 52.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 79.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for dried apricots from MENA was diverse. Turkey accounted for 14.0% of exports in kind, the United States for 3.8%, and Canada for 2.0%, together contributing only 19.8% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but significant 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export volumes reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried apricots from MENA totaled 5,810 thousand US dollars, showing a rise of 19.2% over the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 91.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Turkey accounted for 10.2% of exports in value, the United States for 4.5%, and Germany for 2.4%, together making up only 17.2% of total flows. The remaining 82.8% was distributed among numerous smaller partner 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 dried apricots to MENA

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, imported dried apricot volumes in MENA were recorded at 20,781 tons, representing a moderate drop of 9.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 19.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 17,307 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 22,879 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 32.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan formed the main cluster of markets for imports in kind. Turkey accounted for 53.4% of imports, Tajikistan for 23.4%, and Afghanistan for 6.9%, together representing 83.7% 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

After a two-year uptick, cross-border shipments of dried apricots to MENA declined. In 2020, MENA imported approximately 35,262 thousand US dollars of dried apricots, amounting to a robust decrease of 14.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 41,132 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 17.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey played the leading role in imports in value terms, accounting for 80.2% of total flows. Other markets together made up the remainder.

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

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