IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Middle East – Apple – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the apple market in the Middle East amounted to $3.3B in 2018, picking up by 9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, apple consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the apple market attained its peak figure level at $3.9B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country in the Middle East

The countries with the highest volumes of apple consumption in 2018 were Turkey (2.9M tonnes), Iran (1.9M tonnes) and Syria (364K tonnes), together accounting for 86% of total consumption.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of apple consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Syria, while apple consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest apple markets in the Middle East were Turkey ($1.1B), Iran ($1B) and Syria ($384M), with a combined 77% share of the total market.

The countries with the highest levels of apple per capita consumption in 2018 were Turkey (35 kg per person), Iran (23 kg per person) and Syria (20 kg per person).

Production in the Middle East

In 2018, the amount of apples produced in the Middle East stood at 5.8M tonnes, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, apple production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when production volume increased by 6.9% against the previous year. The general negative trend in terms of apple output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a mild drop in yield figures.

Production By Country in the Middle East

The countries with the highest volumes of apple production in 2018 were Turkey (3.1M tonnes), Iran (2M tonnes) and Syria (362K tonnes), together accounting for 94% of total production.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of apple production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Syria, while apple production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area in the Middle East

In 2018, the total area harvested in terms of apples production in the Middle East totaled 426K ha, rising by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the apple harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to apple production attained its maximum at 544K ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, harvested area failed to regain its momentum.

Yield in the Middle East

In 2018, the average apple yield in the Middle East amounted to 14 tonne per ha. Over the period under review, the apple yield continues to indicate a mild curtailment. Over the period under review, the apple yield attained its maximum level at 16 tonne per ha in 2009; however, from 2010 to 2018, yield stood at lower figures.

Exports in the Middle East

The volume of exports totaled 500K tonnes in 2018, surging by 30% against the previous year, which refers to the increased supplies from Turkey and Iran. The volume of exports peaked in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term. In value terms, apple exports totaled $254M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the key exporter of apples exported in the Middle East, with the volume of exports amounting to 238K tonnes, which was near 48% of total exports in 2018. Iran (139K tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 28% share, followed by Lebanon (12%) and Syrian Arab Republic (4.6%). Israel (18K tonnes) and the United Arab Emirates (12K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Turkey, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest apple supplying countries in the Middle East were Turkey ($95M), Iran ($78M) and Syrian Arab Republic ($26M), with a combined 78% share of total exports.

Export Prices by Country

The apple export price in the Middle East stood at $507 per tonne in 2018, dropping by -6.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the apple export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Export price peaked at $676 per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Israel ($1,304 per tonne), while Lebanon ($213 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

Imports in the Middle East

In 2018, approx. 635K tonnes of apples were imported in the Middle East; declining by -1.6% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The volume of imports peaked at 702K tonnes in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, imports failed to regain their momentum. In value terms, apple imports totaled $579M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia (187K tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (125K tonnes) and Iraq (103K tonnes) represented roughly 66% of total imports of apples in 2018. Jordan (42K tonnes) occupied a 6.6% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Israel (5.9%) and Kuwait (5.1%). Qatar (26K tonnes) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Israel, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest apple importing markets in the Middle East were Saudi Arabia ($194M), the United Arab Emirates ($154M) and Israel ($47M), with a combined 68% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

The apple import price in the Middle East stood at $912 per tonne in 2018, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Israel ($1,262 per tonne), while Iraq ($221 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform