Fruit and vegetable juices market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unfermented fruit and vegetable juices in the MENA region expanded to 2 036 million liters in 2019, its highest point in the period, before entering a phase of gradual contraction. This initial growth aligned with earlier identified opportunities for UAE companies to import fruits, produce juices, and build brands for domestic and regional sales.

After 2019, market volume declined for three consecutive years, reaching 1 821 million liters in 2022. During this phase, the region saw a substantial increase in fruit and vegetable output in North Africa in 2021, providing a larger raw material base for juice processing. Furthermore, significant government investments in integrated agricultural development projects in Egypt and a heightened focus on food security in GCC countries from 2022 onward aimed to boost local fruit and vegetable production.

The market stabilized at around 1 828 million liters in 2023. This coincided with the establishment of a joint venture in Saudi Arabia between NADEC and Del Monte, a new entity focused on fresh produce and juices, which enhanced production and distribution capabilities within the region.

Production fruit and vegetable juices in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of fruit and vegetable juices, 2017-2020

World map of production of fruit and vegetable juices, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 1 918 million liters of fruit and vegetable juices, representing a 5.2% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 824 million liters, which also saw the largest decline of 3.5% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports fruit and vegetable juices from MENA

Exports in kind, M l

Following two consecutive years of decline, exports of fruit and vegetable juices from MENA rebounded in 2020. Export volumes reached 585.4 million liters, marking a significant 33.2% increase compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 24.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 9.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 439.6 million liters, which also experienced the steepest decline of 34.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from MENA in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Between 2017 and 2020, MENA's fruit and vegetable juice exports were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Turkey accounted for 4.2% of export volumes, followed by the Netherlands at 3.5% and Afghanistan at 3.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 11.1% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution among many 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

For the second year in a row, the value of fruit and vegetable juice exports from MENA declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 768 million US dollars, reflecting a 14.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 23.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 008 million US dollars, which also saw a modest increase of 0.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan was the largest buyer of MENA's fruit and vegetable juices in value terms, accounting for 5.2% of exports. The Netherlands and Turkey followed closely, each representing 4.2% of export value. Together, these three countries accounted for 13.6% of total export value, while the majority of exports were distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports fruit and vegetable juices to MENA

Imports in kind, M l

In 2020, MENA imported 624.3 million liters of fruit and vegetable juices, showing a modest 4.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import volumes declined by 26.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 621.1 million liters, which also experienced the largest decline of 26.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw an increase of 4.9% in import volumes.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to MENA in kind, 2017-2020, M l

The partner structure for fruit and vegetable juice imports to MENA remained highly fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Thailand led with 5.9% of import volumes, followed by India at 4.9% and Spain at 3.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 13.8% of total import flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

After two years of decline, the value of fruit and vegetable juice imports to MENA increased in 2020. Import values reached 909 million US dollars, representing a 3.5% uptick from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 14.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 5.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 879 million US dollars, while 2018 saw the largest decline of 9.1%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that fruit and vegetable juice imports to MENA in value terms were not concentrated among a few key suppliers. The Netherlands accounted for 6.3% of import value, followed by Brazil at 5.6% and India at 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 16.7% of total import flows, indicating a diverse supplier base.

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

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