Edible brassicas market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh edible brassicas in the GCC expanded from 254.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 351.4 thousand tons in 2023. Initial growth was driven by rising production and imports, with a notable increase in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected food security, leading to a slight contraction in market volume as supply chains faced disruptions and reliance on local production increased.

Market size recovered strongly in 2021, jumping to 328.9 thousand tons, supported by a surge in imports which reached 180.4 thousand tons. Production also grew steadily, though it dipped slightly in 2022 before rebounding sharply in 2023 to 180.2 thousand tons, contributing to the overall market expansion.

By 2024, imports continued to climb, reaching 212.6 thousand tons, while exports declined. This trend aligns with GCC countries' focus on enhancing domestic agricultural capabilities, including investments in vertical farming and sustainable technologies, alongside changing consumer preferences that boosted demand for value-added products like vacuum-sealed vegetables.

Production edible brassicas in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

After increasing for two consecutive years, edible brassicas production in the GCC declined. In 2020, production remained relatively stable at 148.9 thousand tons, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 149.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

GCC's edible brassicas production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 3 473 million US dollars, representing a 22.0% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 48.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 099 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 35.7% jump.

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

Exports edible brassicas from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2017, then dropped to their lowest point in 2018 at 0.9 thousand tons—a 12.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exported volumes from the GCC amounted to 6.9 thousand tons, surging by 590.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 91.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of edible brassicas from the GCC were Afghanistan and Egypt, together accounting for 1.9% of total exports in volume terms.

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, the GCC exported 7 900 thousand US dollars worth of edible brassicas, reflecting a moderate decrease of 5.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 21.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 217 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 28.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 15.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan (8.8% of exports by value), the United States (1.0%), and Egypt (0.6%) were the main destinations for GCC edible brassicas exports, collectively representing 10.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports edible brassicas to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

Edible brassicas imports into the GCC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 139.4 thousand tons, showing a slight uptick of 2.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 43.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran (48.1% of imports by volume), Jordan (12.0%), and Spain (8.5%) formed the main cluster of markets for GCC edible brassicas imports, together accounting for 68.7% of total import volume.

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, the GCC imported edible brassicas valued at 75 557 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate decrease of 4.4% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 68 309 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 75 557 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 10.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (27.5% of imports by value), Iran (16.2%), and Jordan (13.1%) consistently remained the main sources for GCC edible brassicas imports, collectively accounting for 56.7% of total import value.

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

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