Persimmons market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the digitalization of fruit and vegetable supply chains in the MENA region created new market opportunities, but by 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions led to a decline in the persimmon market volume to 59 492 t. The market rebounded in 2021, reaching 68 676 t, largely due to the Egyptian government's investments in agricultural production and increased fruit and vegetable output in North Africa. This positive trend continued into 2022, with the market volume rising to 71 152 t, supported by ongoing government investments in agriculture and the adoption of new technologies.

The market volume decreased to 61 754 t in 2023, while the industry saw strategic partnerships such as the agreement between KissanPro and Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co. to facilitate agricultural product access to the Middle East. By 2024, trends like growing demand for high-quality fresh produce with longer shelf life and further digitalization continued to shape the market environment.

Production persimmons in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of persimmons, 2017-2020

World map of production of persimmons, 2017-2020

MENA's persimmon production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 51 784 tonnes, which is 9.0% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 59 790 tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 0.8%.

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

Exports persimmons from MENA

Exports in kind, t

Persimmon exports from MENA showed significant fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at just 368 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 94.6%. However, they rebounded dramatically in 2019 with a massive increase of 1 679.9%. By 2020, exports reached 8 798 tonnes, up 34.2% from 2019, resulting in a 24-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, MENA's persimmon exports were distributed across various partner countries. Russia accounted for 23.2% of exports, the United States for 10.5%, and France for 1.9%. Together, these three markets represented 35.6% of total export flows, indicating a relatively diversified export structure.

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

After two years of decline, MENA's persimmon exports in value terms rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 12 833 thousand US dollars, a 55.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 256 thousand US dollars, following a 25.7% drop in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, the United States, and France were the key markets for MENA's persimmon exports in value terms. Russia led with 34.1% of exports, followed by the United States at 15.4%, and France at 3.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 53.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports persimmons to MENA

Imports in kind, t

Persimmon imports into MENA experienced notable volatility. In 2018, imports fell to their lowest level at 9 376 tonnes, a decrease of 32.6%. They then surged by 73.7% in 2019. By 2020, imports totaled 16 506 tonnes, showing a slight rise of 1.4% from 2019. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 1.8 between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Spain dominated MENA's persimmon imports in volume, accounting for 70.8% of total flows. The remaining imports were spread across a range of smaller partner countries, forming a long tail in the market structure.

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

MENA's persimmon imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports reached 21 076 thousand US dollars, up 6.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 17.9%, with an average annual increase of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 035 thousand US dollars, after a 27.1% decline that year, followed by a significant 52.5% rise in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the primary source for MENA's persimmon imports in value terms, capturing 70.3% of the total. The rest of the imports were distributed among other countries, reflecting a concentrated import market.

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

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