Tomato market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for fresh tomatoes in the UAE saw a contraction, with volume decreasing from 232 thousand tons to 204 thousand tons. During these years, the sector focused on adopting sustainable and smart agricultural technologies, such as hydroponics and smart irrigation, to address environmental challenges and enhance local production capabilities. Government initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural output and processing were implemented to improve long-term market stability. By 2020, a growing demand for fresh and locally processed tomatoes emerged, supported by parallel developments in cold-chain logistics to better distribute temperature-sensitive produce.

Beginning in 2021, the market entered a phase of strong expansion, with volume rising to 285 thousand tons that year and reaching 360 thousand tons by 2023. This growth was primarily driven by a shift in consumer behavior towards preferring fresh, high-quality products, which led companies to improve packaging and distribution. The entry of new players into the broader fresh food market, including the meat and chilled products sectors, increased overall competition and stimulated consumption across related categories, including tomatoes. Seasonal transitions between crop cycles periodically influenced local supply and prices, but underlying demand remained robust.

The market's expansion was further supported by ongoing investments in agricultural technology and supply chain efficiency. Increased health awareness regarding the nutritional benefits of tomatoes continued to bolster demand. Additionally, foreign direct investment in the UAE's food and beverage sector, particularly in Dubai, encouraged the development and diversification of tomato-based products, contributing to market growth.

Production tomato in the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, tomato production in the United Arab Emirates rebounded. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 60 081 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 23.6%. However, by 2020, output surged to 80 086 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 33.3% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tomato from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Tomato export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2020, with the highest volume being 3.5 times greater than the lowest. In 2019, exports saw their largest decline at 18.8%. By 2020, exports from the United Arab Emirates rose to 6.6 thousand tonnes, a substantial gain of 173.1% from the year before.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia remained the top buyers of tomatoes from the United Arab Emirates. Oman accounted for 36.0% of exports in kind, Bahrain for 31.8%, and Saudi Arabia for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 77.7% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2020, where the peak was 4.3 times the trough. In 2018, exports recorded their largest increase at 150.4%, while 2019 saw the largest decline at 8.8%. By 2020, tomato shipments from the United Arab Emirates reached 6.0 million US dollars, a sharp gain of 86.2% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan, Oman, and Bahrain formed the core of exports in value terms. Afghanistan led with 37.7% of exports in value, followed by Oman at 25.2%, and Bahrain at 21.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 84.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Imports tomato to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

Tomato imports into the United Arab Emirates showed a mixed trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports recorded their largest increase at 1.1%. However, by 2020, imports dropped to 130.9 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 17.4% from 2019. Over the entire period, imports declined by 18.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Jordan, Iran, and India—dominated tomato imports into the United Arab Emirates in kind. Together, they accounted for 63.5% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of tomatoes to the United Arab Emirates declined for the third consecutive year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 44.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.7%. In 2020, imports amounted to 64.6 million US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 25.2% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for tomato imports into the United Arab Emirates in value terms were Jordan, the Netherlands, and India. Jordan accounted for 29.0% of imports in value, the Netherlands for 12.8%, and India for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 53.2% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020