Treenuts market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The GCC treenuts market opened at 242.4 thousand tons in 2018, a period marked by the industry's entry into a recovery phase and population growth following the oil boom, which spurred demand. However, by 2020, market volume contracted sharply to 165.1 thousand tons, pressured by the adverse effects of climate change, drought, and desertification that constrained agricultural output and availability across the region.

A recovery began in 2021, lifting the market to 190.4 thousand tons, and growth continued to 204.3 thousand tons in 2023. This rebound was underpinned by sustained food security policies, including a 3.9% increase in plant production in 2021, and broader economic diversification efforts that provided support to the agricultural sector. Furthermore, rising consumer preference for food security and healthier products, such as fruits and vegetables, contributed to expanded demand for treenuts.

Ongoing regional integration, highlighted by the 2024 GCC Common Market Indicators Report which enhances the free movement of goods, alongside a 5.1% growth in the agricultural sector's GDP contribution, points to a continued supportive environment for agricultural markets, including treenuts, in the GCC.

Production treenuts in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, GCC produced 899 tons of treenuts, which represents a significant 46.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 41.1%, with an average annual decline of 16.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 690 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 60.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of treenuts production in GCC was $4 303 thousand US, showing a sharp year-over-year decline of 53.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 50.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.8%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at $9 257 thousand US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 59.1%.

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

Exports treenuts from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, treenuts exports from GCC declined in 2020. Export volume reached 111.8 thousand tons, marking a 9.6% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 34.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 123.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 28.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran (45.7% of exports in kind), Iraq (8.4%), and Yemen (6.2%) were the key export partners for GCC treenuts, collectively accounting for 60.3% 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 growth, the value of treenuts exports from GCC declined in 2020. Exports totaled $536 million US, representing a 20.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 13.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak export value was recorded in 2019 at $678 million US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 27.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran (47.7% of exports in value terms), Iraq (7.5%), and Yemen (6.2%) were the main buyers of GCC treenuts, together comprising 61.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports treenuts to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of increase, GCC's treenuts import volume declined in 2020. Imports reached 276.1 thousand tons, indicating a 19.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume increased by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 341.8 thousand tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 29.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (37.8% of imports in kind), India (27.9%), and Sri Lanka (5.0%) were the main sources of treenuts imports to GCC, jointly representing 70.7% 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

Following two years of growth, GCC's treenuts import value declined in 2020. Imports amounted to $1 127 million US, equivalent to an 11.8% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 4.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at $1 279 million US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (49.6% of imports in value terms), India (21.2%), and Iran (4.3%) led the import structure for GCC treenuts, together accounting for 75.0% 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