Tomato market in Oman

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the tomato market in Oman grew significantly, with market volume rising from 209.1 thousand tonnes to 364.6 thousand tonnes. This expansion was driven by a surge in domestic production, which jumped from 199.2 thousand tonnes to 340.2 thousand tonnes in 2020. The increase followed the Sultanate's Decree No. 50/2019, which abolished the minimum capital requirement for foreign investors, encouraging new investments in agriculture. The subsequent enactment of the Foreign Capital Investment Law in early 2020 further boosted production capacity.

Market volumes then declined to 316.0 thousand tonnes in 2021 and stabilized around 313.7 thousand tonnes in 2022, before falling to 237.5 thousand tonnes in 2023. Production fluctuated during this period, reaching 302.0 thousand tonnes in 2022 as government efforts to increase output and improve distribution channels responded to growing demand for fresh vegetables. However, in 2023, production dropped to 225.5 thousand tonnes due to multiple factors including reduced cultivated area, cold weather, higher costs of agricultural inputs and transportation, and global supply chain disruptions.

In 2024, imports rose sharply to 59.3 thousand tonnes while exports remained negligible at 0.7 thousand tonnes. This import growth coincided with new regulatory policies such as the introduction of a code of conduct for consumer goods and stricter import requirements for fresh vegetables and fruits, which mandate time-limited import licenses and cooled storage facilities. At the same time, ongoing improvements in the investment climate under Oman Vision 2040, including legislative reforms and digital transformation, continued to attract new players to the agricultural sector.

Production tomato in Oman

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Oman's tomato production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 340.2 thousand tons of tomatoes, which represents a significant 69.0% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 77.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.1%.

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

Exports tomato from Oman

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 3.1-fold difference between the low point in 2017 and the peak in 2018. In 2020, tomato exports from Oman amounted to 16 198 tons, marking a substantial contraction of 18.9% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 346 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.2% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a remarkable 206.3% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the dominant destination for Oman's tomato exports in volume terms, accounting for 95.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Oman's tomato export value increased in 2020. Exports were recorded at 1 782 thousand US dollars, up by 19.3% year-over-year. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 42.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 16.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 494 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 47.6%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates was the primary destination for Oman's tomato exports in value terms, accounting for 78.6% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports tomato to Oman

Imports in kind, t

Tomato imports into Oman have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 40 573 tons, showing a rise of 7.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan (64.2% of imports in volume), Iran (14.9%), and India (8.7%) were the main sources for tomato imports into Oman, together accounting for 87.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, the value of tomato imports into Oman increased in 2020. Imports reached 18 010 thousand US dollars, representing a 26.4% gain compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 14 254 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.9%.

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

In the period 2017–2020, Jordan (63.2% of imports in value terms), India (9.8%), and Iran (7.9%) accounted for the largest share of tomato imports into Oman in value terms, together comprising 80.9% of total flows.

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

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