Strawberries market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The strawberries market in Western Asia began a sustained upward climb from 2018, with volume reaching 532 thousand tons in 2019 from 481 thousand tons the previous year. This initial growth was propelled by increased lending from the state-owned Agricultural Bank of Egypt, which raised financing for strawberry growers from 15 thousand to 60 thousand Egyptian pounds per acre for export-oriented cultivation, and later to 90 thousand pounds with subsidized interest rates. This direct financial support enhanced farmers' capacity to cover production costs and expand output.

Market expansion continued robustly through 2022, with volume peaking at 777 thousand tons that year, representing an increase of over 60% since 2018. The growth trajectory built upon the earlier foundation of state-supported farmer financing and export-oriented production, which included substantial shipments of fresh strawberries and seedlings.

A market correction followed in 2023, bringing volume down to 698 thousand tons. However, 2024 saw decisive steps to reignite growth, including the formal opening of the Uzbek market for fresh Egyptian strawberries and the implementation of a digital phytosanitary system to streamline export procedures. Furthermore, competitive gains were made in Asian markets as Turkish strawberry prices rose by 40%, and state bank financing continued to underpin farmer investment.

Production strawberries in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Strawberry production in Western Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 588.4 thousand tons of strawberries, marking a 12.5% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 34.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of strawberry production in Western Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 080 million US dollars, showing a significant 28.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 34.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

Exports strawberries from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia exported 26 383 tons of strawberries, reflecting a moderate 6.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 23 530 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 28 089 tons. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with a 19.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Romania, and Belarus were the top contributors to strawberry exports in volume from Western Asia. Russia accounted for 47.9% of exports, Romania for 11.5%, and Belarus for 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented 67.5% 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, M $ US

Strawberry export revenues from Western Asia have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 48.4 million US dollars, showing a gradual 7.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 41.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 9.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Belarus, and Romania were the main destinations for strawberry exports in value terms from Western Asia. Russia accounted for 43.3% of export value, Belarus for 10.7%, and Romania for 10.2%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 64.1% of total export value.

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 strawberries to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Strawberry imports into Western Asia have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 39 766 tons, indicating a 6.4% gain from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Egypt, and Morocco were the principal sources of strawberry imports in volume for Western Asia. The United States accounted for 30.7% of imports, Egypt for 30.6%, and Morocco for 4.3%. Together, these three countries made up 65.6% 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, M $ US

Strawberry import spending in Western Asia has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 167.5 million US dollars, equivalent to a limited 7.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 21%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 138.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 12.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Egypt, and Morocco consistently remained the main sources of strawberry imports in value terms for Western Asia. The United States accounted for 50.9% of import value, Egypt for 17.1%, and Morocco for 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 73.0% 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