Preserved olives market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the preserved olive market in MENA experienced fluctuations, with production dropping from 1.27 million tons to 1.05 million tons in 2019 before recovering slightly to 1.08 million tons in 2020. Market size followed a similar pattern, declining to 1.05 million tons in 2019 and then rising to 1.07 million tons in 2020.

The market surged in 2021, with production jumping to 1.78 million tons and market size expanding to 1.76 million tons. This sharp increase was driven by Egypt emerging as the world's top consumer of olives, with domestic consumption reaching 836 thousand metric tons, which stimulated regional demand and production.

After peaking in 2022 at 1.82 million tons, market volume contracted to 1.38 million tons in 2023. During this period, Spain's expansion of olive groves by nearly 32 thousand hectares increased global supply, potentially affecting competition in MENA. Simultaneously, labeling reforms and polyphenol retention technologies raised quality benchmarks, shifting consumer expectations and influencing market dynamics.

Production preserved olives in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of preserved olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of preserved olives, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MENA produced 1 078 K t of preserved olives, marking a 2.8% increase from the previous year. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 272 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 17.6% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 72.3% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market exhibited volatile behavior during these years. The lowest value was observed in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.9 times. In 2020, the output of preserved olives in MENA was valued at 2 172 M $ US, showing a modest decline of 5.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 752 M $ US. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a 16.7% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a 92.3% surge.

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

Exports preserved olives from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, cross-border shipments of preserved olives from MENA increased. In 2020, exports totaled 199.9 K t, reflecting a 10.5% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 180.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (15.7% of exports in kind), the United States (12.9% of exports in kind), and Spain (5.6% of exports in kind) were among the largest buyers of preserved olives from MENA. However, together they accounted for just 34.2% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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, M $ US

MENA exported 402.6 M $ US of preserved olives in 2020, representing a slight rise of 1.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 415.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 4.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 10.2% gain.

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

The analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. France (15.7% of exports in value terms), the United States (14.9% of exports in value terms), and Spain (5.7% of exports in value terms) together accounted for only 36.3% of total flows, with a significant 63.7% falling on other partners.

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

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

Imports preserved olives to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Preserved olive shipments to MENA from abroad increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, MENA imported 188.4 K t of preserved olives, reflecting a moderate rise of 5.6% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 168.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 27.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 6.2% rise.

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

The market base for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was wide. Spain (21.4% of imports in kind), Turkey (10.5% of imports in kind), and India (5.1% of imports in kind) jointly accounted for just 37.0% of total flows, with the remaining 63.0% shared by numerous 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, M $ US

After a two-year rise, cross-border shipments of preserved olives to MENA declined. In 2020, MENA imported 359.6 M $ US of preserved olives, which is 9.3% less than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 396.6 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 6.4% gain.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Spain (20.5% of imports in value terms), Turkey (10.3% of imports in value terms), and Greece (6.8% of imports in value terms) together accounted for just 37.6% of total flows, with no country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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