Olives market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh or chilled olives in the MENA region showed high volatility between 2018 and 2023. Output started at 6.7 million tonnes in 2018, dipped to 6.4 million tonnes in 2019, then jumped to 7.3 million tonnes in 2020. A sharp contraction followed in 2021, bringing production down to 5.6 million tonnes, which was largely recovered in 2022 with 7.1 million tonnes.

The market saw another significant downturn in 2023, when production fell by 18% to 5.8 million tonnes. This decline was primarily driven by severe drought conditions in Morocco, which heavily reduced the olive harvest. Additionally, the Moroccan government imposed restrictions on olive exports until the end of 2024, further tightening domestic supply and impacting regional availability.

Production olives in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 7 347 K t of olives, marking a 14.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 42%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 12.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.4%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 30.1%.

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

Exports olives from MENA

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MENA exported 372 t of olives, representing a 25.5% year-on-year decrease. The maximum volume was 729 t in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 31.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 126.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, olive exports from MENA were not heavily concentrated. Italy accounted for 3.3% of exports in kind, the United States for 3.0%, and Belgium for 2.9%, with these three countries together capturing only 9.2% 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 7.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of olives from MENA amounted to 6 902 K $ US, showing a sharp increase of 645.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 926 K $ US in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 80.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, there was no single dominant market for olive exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 3.5% of exports, Italy for 3.1%, and Belgium for 2.8%, with these three countries together taking only 9.4% of total export value. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports olives to MENA

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of olives to MENA were recorded at 2 059 t, constituting a sharp rise of 343.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 103 t in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 59.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 351.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for olive imports in kind was wide. Spain accounted for 2.4% of imports, Greece for 1.4%, and Palestine for 1.3%, with these three countries together forming only 5.1% of total import flows. A substantial 94.9% was supplied by many other countries.

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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 and reached their maximum in 2020, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of olives to MENA stood at 4 881 K $ US, equivalent to a rise of 363.8% from a year earlier. The minimum value was 1 052 K $ US in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 59.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, olives were traded with many countries in MENA, and even the largest destinations—the United Kingdom, Spain, and Greece—together represented only 8.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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