Olives market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled olives in Saudi Arabia expanded from 357.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 388.5 thousand tons in 2022, supported by several key developments. Early in the period, the Olive Research Center in Al-Jouf succeeded in producing over 30 varieties of high-quality olives, enhancing product diversity. Significant growth was driven by increased investment in the olive oil sector in Al-Jouf during 2021, which encouraged both small farms and large companies to expand olive cultivation areas and establish new farms. Continuous support through the provision of machinery, equipment, and qualified personnel further developed the sector's production capacity.

Market growth continued into 2022 when Saudi Arabia joined the International Olive Council in December, marking a new phase for olive cultivation and integrating the local industry into global frameworks. However, in 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 339.0 thousand tons. This decline coincided with reported climatic challenges, including high temperatures, increased rainfall, and storms, which negatively affected olive tree yields and contributed to production volatility.

Throughout the period, the olive sector in Al-Jouf underwent structural transformation, with the number of presses expanding to about 30 and product diversification extending from table olives to derivatives such as shampoo, soap, charcoal, and animal feed. The rising prominence of the Al-Jouf olive brand, bolstered by advanced fruit-handling methods, increased demand for organic olive oil both domestically and in Gulf markets, aligning with broader economic diversification goals under Vision 2030.

Production olives in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Saudi Arabia ranked as the 11th largest producer of olives during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2020, Saudi Arabia produced 364.5 thousand tons of olives, representing a slight increase of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 23.0%, while production remained stable in 2019.

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

Exports olives from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Saudi Arabia exported 4.9 tons of olives, marking a sharp decline of 54.8% from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Turkey, Bahrain, and Yemen—collectively accounted for 83.0% of Saudi Arabia's total olive exports by volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, the value of olive exports from Saudi Arabia amounted to 12.4 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep drop of 52.9% compared to the previous year.

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

During 2017–2020, the top destinations for Saudi Arabia's olive exports in value terms were Turkey (34.3% of total export value), Bahrain (28.4%), and Yemen (20.5%). Together, these three countries made up 83.2% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports olives to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for olives in Saudi Arabia showed volatility over the observed period. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 41.6 tons, but then surged to 271.4 tons in 2020, representing a sharp increase of 552.8% from the previous year. This created a peak-to-trough amplitude of 6.5 times between 2019 and 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 72.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of olive imports by volume for Saudi Arabia were Greece (34.2% of total import volume), Egypt (23.6%), and Syria (18.4%). Combined, these three countries accounted for 76.1% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The import data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 82.7 thousand US dollars, then rebounded to 160.0 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking an increase of 93.4% from the previous year. This resulted in a 6.5-fold gap between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a decrease of 67.2%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the leading suppliers of olives to Saudi Arabia in value terms were Greece (57.2% of total import value), Egypt (13.6%), and Turkey (9.2%). Together, these three countries represented 80.0% of total imports by value.

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

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