Olives market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled olives in the GCC region held steady at around 359 thousand tons in 2018 and 2019 before entering a growth phase. Driven by rising domestic production, market volume increased to 366 thousand tons in 2020, then to 383 thousand tons in 2021, and reached a peak of 389 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion added 30 thousand tons over three years, with import and export flows remaining minimal throughout.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 340 thousand tons, a 13% drop from the previous year. The decline was primarily due to a reduction in domestic output, which fell by 49 thousand tons, while trade volumes stayed negligible. This reversal marked a significant departure from the consistent growth observed earlier in the period.

Broader sector developments included a shift in consumer preferences across the Gulf toward healthier fresh products and substantial investments in cold-chain logistics and packaging technologies. These enhancements support the distribution and quality maintenance of perishable goods like olives, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen the regional food ecosystem.

Production olives in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, GCC produced 365.3 thousand tonnes of olives, marking a 1.9% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 23.3%, while 2019 saw no change in production levels.

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

Exports olives from GCC

Exports in kind, t

The export market for olives from GCC displayed notable volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 40 tonnes, then surged to 137 tonnes in 2020, representing a 239.2% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a 3.4-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 at 66.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Yemen, and Benin were the leading buyers of olives from GCC in terms of volume. Iran accounted for 44.9% of exports, Yemen for 14.1%, and Benin for 6.4%. Together, these three countries represented 65.4% of total olive exports from GCC.

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

The value of olive exports from GCC exhibited considerable volatility over these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 57 thousand US dollars, then rebounded to 172 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 199.8% year-over-year increase. This created an 11.7-fold gap between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 87.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran, Kenya, and Yemen remained the primary buyers of olives from GCC in value terms. Iran dominated with 68.1% of export value, followed by Kenya at 7.4% and Yemen at 5.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 81.1% of total olive export value from GCC.

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

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

Imports olives to GCC

Imports in kind, t

Olive imports into GCC showed significant volatility during the period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 1 022 tonnes, then dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 530 tonnes, before recovering to 1 007 tonnes in 2020—a 90.2% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a 1.9-fold difference between the 2018 peak and 2019 trough. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2019 at 48.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Syria, and Greece were the largest contributors to olive imports into GCC by volume. Egypt accounted for 48.2% of imports, Syria for 15.1%, and Greece for 7.4%. Together, these three countries made up 70.7% of total olive import volumes.

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

After a two-year decline, GCC's olive imports by value increased in 2020, reaching 935 thousand US dollars—a significant 16.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 22.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 935 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year at 32.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt, Greece, and Lebanon were the principal suppliers of olives to GCC in value terms. Egypt accounted for 37.2% of import value, Greece for 13.2%, and Lebanon for 11.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 62.2% of total olive import value into GCC.

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

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