In-shell almonds market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The in-shell almond market volume in MENA experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 737.2 thousand tons in 2018, it dropped by 19% to 596.9 thousand tons in 2019. The market stabilized in 2020 at 604.6 thousand tons, then declined further to 553.1 thousand tons in 2021 and 507.3 thousand tons in 2022. A sharp recovery occurred in 2023, with volume jumping 23% to 625.9 thousand tons.

This volatility was mirrored in production, which fell from 629.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 500.2 thousand tons in 2022 before rebounding to 613.6 thousand tons in 2023. Imports contracted sharply from 110.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 20.2 thousand tons in 2022, while exports grew steadily from 2.9 thousand tons to 15.2 thousand tons over the same period, indicating a shift toward greater self-sufficiency.

In 2024, the market landscape was shaped by substantial investments in domestic almond processing facilities, with USD 1.8 billion committed to expanding capacity across six provinces. Additionally, regulatory changes such as the EU's mandatory country-of-origin labeling for almonds, effective January 2025, began influencing export strategies and market differentiation.

Production in-shell almonds in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of in-shell almonds, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell almonds, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 591.6 thousand tonnes of in-shell almonds, marking a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 629.9 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.1%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018, rising by 21.8%.

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

Exports in-shell almonds from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2.9 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 9.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.1-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of in-shell almonds from MENA totaled 4.3 thousand tonnes, indicating a sharp decline of 52.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 64.0%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, surging by 213.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India formed the core group of markets for exports in kind. Afghanistan accounted for 12.7% of exports, Pakistan for 9.0%, and India for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented 28.4% of total export flows.

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

In 2020, foreign supplies of in-shell almonds from MENA reached 37 144 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant decline of 18.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 33 447 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 45 678 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 21.6%, and the most notable increase was in 2019, rising by 36.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Afghanistan accounted for 12.0% of exports, Pakistan for 8.2%, and India for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 27.2% of total flows, with the remaining 72.8% 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 in-shell almonds to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their peak in 2018 at 110.2 thousand tonnes and hit their lowest point in 2020 at 17.3 thousand tonnes, resulting in a 6.4-fold amplitude. In 2020, MENA imported a total of 17.3 thousand tonnes of in-shell almonds, down by 15.7% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 81.4%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, soaring by 528.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of in-shell almonds to MENA were heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 78.2% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining 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, K $ US

In 2020, in-shell almond shipments to MENA from abroad stood at 85 014 thousand US dollars, down by 14.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 71 577 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 99 898 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 17.1%, and the most substantial increase was in 2019, rising by 39.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States remained the key source for in-shell almonds to MENA, accounting for 86.3% of total imports in value terms. Other destinations played a much less significant role in the import structure.

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

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