Tomato market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The tomato market in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries expanded significantly from 1 083 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 730 thousand tons in 2020. This surge was driven by rising demand from population growth and government initiatives to boost agricultural output, supported by major investments from large players like the National Agricultural Company. In 2020, the adoption of sustainable farming technologies such as hydroponics helped increase domestic production, further contributing to market growth.

Following the peak, market volume stabilized around 1 800 thousand tons, with a minor dip to 1 783 thousand tons in 2022 and a more pronounced decline to 1 522 thousand tons in 2023. The expansion of e-commerce packaging solutions in 2021 facilitated the distribution of fresh tomatoes, while investments in cold chain infrastructure in 2022 enhanced product quality and shelf life. However, a sharp drop in imports during 2023 led to the overall market contraction, despite ongoing policy efforts to enhance food security and intra-GCC trade for agricultural products.

Recent developments continue to shape the market, with a strong focus on sustainable and smart agriculture to address land and water constraints. Growing consumer preference for high-quality fresh produce and continuous investment in processing and logistics infrastructure, including cold chain services, are key elements supporting the tomato sector's evolution in the region.

Production tomato in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

In 2019, GCC produced 689 K t of tomatoes, which was the lowest level during the period. Production then surged by 63.3% in 2020 to reach 1 125 K t. Over the entire 2017-2020 timeframe, production grew by 59.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.5%.

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

Exports tomato from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

GCC's tomato exports have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports remained virtually unchanged from the previous year at 3.6 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 74.8%, with an average annual decline of 36.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq and Afghanistan were the primary markets for GCC's tomato exports in volume terms, together accounting for 6.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of contraction, GCC's tomato exports in value terms rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 9.4 M $ US, marking a 60.0% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 34.6%, with an average annual decline of 13.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5.9 M $ US, when exports fell by 52.0%, the largest decline during this timeframe.

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

The market base for GCC's tomato exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Afghanistan accounted for 12.8% of exports, Iraq for 6.7%, and the United States for 1.5%, together making up just 21.0% of total flows. The remaining 79.0% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports tomato to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

GCC's tomato imports have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports rose sharply by 37.7% to approximately 609.3 K t compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 31.9%, with an average annual increase of 9.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 371.3 K t, when imports declined by 19.6%, the largest drop during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Iran, and Egypt formed the core of GCC's tomato imports in volume terms. Jordan accounted for 45.3% of imports, Iran for 12.1%, and Egypt for 8.7%, together representing 66.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, GCC's tomato imports in value terms stood at 280.9 M $ US, showing a solid reduction of 16.0% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 272.6 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 334.4 M $ US, when imports increased by 22.7%, the largest rise during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Egypt, and the Netherlands were the main sources for GCC's tomato imports in value terms. Jordan accounted for 43.7% of imports, Egypt for 10.6%, and the Netherlands for 6.7%, together making up 61.0% of total import flows.

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

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