Spinach market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh spinach market in Western Asia experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2023. Volume initially dipped slightly to 245.8 thousand tons in 2019 before surging to 253.5 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered consumer behavior towards purchasing fresher, better-packaged foods and increased demand for healthy options like spinach.

After a correction to 243.6 thousand tons in 2021, the market rebounded strongly to 257.3 thousand tons in 2022. This recovery was supported by sustained health awareness among consumers and a shift towards modern retail and e-commerce distribution channels. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 255.1 thousand tons, concurrent with the continued entry of new players focusing on organic produce and updates to food safety traceability legislation in some West Asian countries.

Production spinach in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

In 2019, spinach production in Western Asia saw its largest decline of 0.6%. However, in 2020, production rebounded to 252.9 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 2.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of spinach production in Western Asia reached its peak at 355.3 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 13.3% increase. However, in 2020, the output value dropped to 298.2 million US dollars, a 16.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 7.1%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.4%.

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

Exports spinach from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Spinach exports from Western Asia have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports totaled 707 tonnes, which represents a 40.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 66.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 30.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, spinach exports from Western Asia were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Russia accounted for 30.0% of exports in kind, Bulgaria for 10.4%, and Romania for 6.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 46.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Spinach exports from Western Asia have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 834 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 51.2% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 70.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 33.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of spinach exports in value terms remained highly diversified. Russia accounted for 23.8% of export value, Afghanistan for 7.8%, and the United Kingdom for 6.3%. These three countries together represented only 37.9% of total flows, while a long tail of smaller markets made up the remaining 62.1%.

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

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

Imports spinach to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Spinach imports into Western Asia have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 336 tonnes, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and China remained the leading sources of spinach imports in kind for Western Asia. Italy accounted for 41.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 12.5%, and China for 7.3%. Together, these three countries represented 61.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, spinach imports into Western Asia rebounded in 2020. Imports amounted to 8 169 thousand US dollars, marking a robust 22.1% year-on-year increase. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 2.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 691 thousand US dollars, which represented a 10.8% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States remained the leading sources of spinach imports in value terms for Western Asia. Italy accounted for 60.3% of import value, the Netherlands for 13.9%, and the United States for 4.6%. Together, these three countries represented 78.8% of total import flows.

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

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