Preserved olives market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The preserved olives market in Saudi Arabia expanded from 362 thousand tons in 2018 to 446 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the success of the Ministry of Environment in introducing over 30 high‑quality olive varieties from the Al‑Jouf research center, alongside the establishment of the world’s largest modern olive farm in the same region, which intensified local cultivation. Financial support from the Saudi Agricultural Bank to farmers in Medina and Al‑Jouf also helped improve crop quality and boost production.

After a period of stabilization in 2021, when market volume reached 441 thousand tons, the market resumed growth in 2022, climbing to 466 thousand tons. Rising investment in olive‑oil processing in Al‑Jouf, driven by attractive returns and low labor requirements, encouraged small farmers to expand their activities. At the same time, increasing consumer interest in healthy foods, reflected in the growth of the olive‑supplements market to USD 0.91 billion in 2022, lifted demand for preserved olives as a health‑oriented product.

In 2023, however, market volume contracted sharply to 372 thousand tons. A severe drought in the Mediterranean basin reduced global olive‑oil supplies and pushed up prices, which in turn limited import volumes and dampened domestic consumption. Despite the ongoing development of large‑scale olive presses in Al‑Jouf, which process over 23 million trees and produce more than 18 thousand tons of oil annually, the price shock and supply constraints led to a marked downturn in the preserved olives market.

Production preserved olives in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in the production of preserved olives.

Top producers of preserved olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of preserved olives, 2017-2020

Saudi Arabia's production of preserved olives grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 363.6 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Exports preserved olives from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports fell to a low of 2 434 tonnes in 2018, then surged to 5 008 tonnes in 2020, representing a sharp 91.8% rise from 2019. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 2.9 between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018, with the largest decline of 65.8% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Saudi Arabia's preserved olives by volume were Djibouti, accounting for 32.0% of exports, Yemen at 16.5%, and Kuwait with 11.5%. Together, these three countries made up 60.0% of total exports.

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, M $ US

After two years of decline, Saudi Arabia's preserved olive exports rebounded in value. In 2020, exports reached 5.6 million US dollars, a 2.2% gain over 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 14.5%, averaging a 5.1% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5.5 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 13.6% occurring in 2018.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of Saudi Arabia's preserved olives were Djibouti, representing 26.8% of exports, Kuwait at 19.2%, and Jordan with 14.4%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 60.4% of 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 preserved olives to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Saudi Arabia's imports of preserved olives increased in volume. In 2020, imports stood at 87 589 tonnes, showing a sharp 26.2% year-over-year rise. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 69 410 tonnes, with the largest decrease of 11.1% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of preserved olives to Saudi Arabia by volume were Spain, contributing 34.6% of imports, Egypt at 16.1%, and Lebanon with 6.4%. Together, these three countries formed 57.0% 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, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's imports of preserved olives in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 117.3 million US dollars, a 17.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite this recent drop, imports increased by 5.8% overall from 2017 to 2020, averaging a 1.9% annual growth. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 154.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 39.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Saudi Arabia's preserved olive imports by value were Spain, Egypt, and Greece, together accounting for 54.5% of total import flows.

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

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