Kiwifruit market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The kiwifruit market in Western Asia grew steadily from 138.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 184.0 thousand tons in 2022, with a particularly sharp 22% increase in 2022. This surge aligned with global supply constraints, including weather-related crop reductions and labor shortages in New Zealand—a major exporter—which likely increased demand for alternative sources and supported local production growth. The market then contracted by 9.5% to 166.5 thousand tons in 2023, a period marked by product innovation in Europe and industry preparations for larger future harvests.

Several 2024 developments indicated ongoing global industry evolution. The New Zealand-European Union Free Trade Agreement came into force, eliminating tariffs and reshaping export flows, while regional consolidation occurred with Unifrutti Group's acquisition in the UAE, expanding Middle Eastern production and marketing capabilities. Concurrently, new kiwifruit varieties, such as red kiwifruit in Europe and novel cultivars in China, continued to emerge, reflecting sustained innovation to diversify offerings and capture consumer interest.

Underlying these shifts were broader factors like climate change challenges and labor shortages affecting key growing regions. Marketing initiatives, including Zespri's health campaigns in China and its partnership with Amazon Fresh in the US, highlighted efforts to drive consumption through expanded distribution and consumer education. These elements collectively underscored how global supply dynamics, trade policies, and product innovation influenced the Western Asian market's trajectory.

Production kiwifruit in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

Western Asia's kiwifruit production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 81 150 tonnes of kiwifruit, marking a significant 15.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 34.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of kiwifruit output in Western Asia reached 115.7 million US dollars, up 34.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 52.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.2%. The most notable drop occurred in 2019, when it fell by 7.1%.

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

Exports kiwifruit from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Western Asia's kiwifruit exports have expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 13 479 tonnes of kiwifruit, a 13.5% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 157.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's kiwifruit exports in volume terms were widely distributed across various markets. Russia accounted for 14.2% of exports, India for 11.4%, and Belarus for 3.1%, with these three countries together making up just 28.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Asia's kiwifruit exports have increased for the third year running. In 2020, export value stood at 19 220 thousand US dollars, which is 32.5% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 192.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 43.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the value of kiwifruit exports from Western Asia was spread across a diverse range of partner countries. Russia contributed 11.8% of export value, India 7.3%, and Belarus 3.6%, with these three markets collectively representing only 22.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports kiwifruit to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Kiwifruit imports into Western Asia have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 75 052 tonnes, down 6.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 13.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.2%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 82 005 tonnes, following a substantial 23.5% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Italy, and Greece remained the top suppliers of kiwifruit to Western Asia in volume terms. Iran accounted for 53.5% of imports, Italy for 12.0%, and Greece for 11.7%, with these three countries together covering 77.3% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of kiwifruit imports into Western Asia amounted to 82 688 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 3.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 90 438 thousand US dollars, after a 21.6% jump that year, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.7% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, three key markets—Iran, Italy, and New Zealand—dominated kiwifruit imports into Western Asia in value terms, together accounting for 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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