Taro market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The taro market in Western Asia expanded from 12 904 t in 2018 to 16 272 t in 2020. This growth was influenced by increased consumer awareness of taro's health benefits, such as its perceived role in protecting against diabetes and heart diseases, which raised demand during the period.

After reaching its peak in 2020, the market volume contracted over the following years, declining to 15 756 t in 2021 and 14 004 t in 2022. The most pronounced reduction occurred in 2023, when the market size fell to 8 743 t, representing a decrease of 37.6% compared to the previous year.

Production taro in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of taro, 2017-2020

World map of production of taro, 2017-2020

Taro production in Western Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 774 tons, but by 2020 it had dropped to 743 tons, marking a 4.0% decrease. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 77.1%, with an average annual decline of 38.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The taro market in Western Asia showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 054 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2017, resulting in a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, taro output was valued at 1 123 thousand US dollars, down 1.2% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 76.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 7.8%.

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

Exports taro from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes for taro from Western Asia were highly volatile during these years. The lowest point was in 2017, and the highest in 2018, with a 33-fold difference between them. In 2020, exports totaled 575 tons, a 22.2% drop from the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at 1 091 tons. The largest decline happened in 2019 at 32.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3 178.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was the primary destination for taro exports from Western Asia, accounting for 0.9% of total export volumes.

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

Taro export values from Western Asia experienced significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, and the peak in 2018, with a 32-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports were valued at 869 thousand US dollars, down 19.9% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 460 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 25.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 3 104.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Greece remained the main buyer of taro from Western Asia in value terms, representing 2.0% 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 taro to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Taro imports into Western Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports were 14 356 tons, rising to 16 104 tons in 2020, a 12.2% increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 13 208 tons, and the largest decline that year was 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated taro imports into Western Asia in volume terms, with a share of 78.3% of total imports, while other markets played a smaller role.

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 two years of growth, taro imports into Western Asia in value terms declined. In 2019, imports were valued at 7 777 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 they fell slightly to 7 749 thousand US dollars, showing little change year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 43.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 35.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for taro imports into Western Asia in value terms were China (62.1% of imports), Egypt (14.1%), and India (10.0%), together accounting for 86.3% of total import value.

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

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