RIYADH: The Gulf States import an estimated 5 million tons of fresh fruit and vegetables annually, with a (statistical import) value of over $3 billion. Among the Gulf states, the most important market is the United Arab Emirates, with a share of more than 40%, followed by Saudi Arabia with more than 30%, Qatar and Kuwait, both with just under 10%, and Oman and Bahrain.
Due to lacking statistics, it’s difficult to determine what the trend is. Adjusted figures do show a clear increase in the imported volume, especially the import from Egypt, Jordan, Philippines, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain and New Zealand.
The top 3 suppliers comprises of India, Egypt and Jordan. South Africa comes in fourth place. The top 4 accounts for half of the total import value. The Netherlands is in 14th place, value-wise. Quantity-wise, the top 3 is the same, but in a different order. On the quantity ranking, the Netherlands comes in between the 20th and 25th spot.
The import of bananas has particularly grown in recent years. Now bananas are the most important import product in the Gulf states. The import of oranges, number 2, is more or less stable. That also goes for onions. Other important products are tomatoes, apples, mangoes, lemons, soft citrus, carrots, grapes and watermelons.
In the past two years, over 15,000 tons of Dutch fruit and vegetables were exported to the Gulf states. In the first half of this year, 14% more can be sold on that market.
Around 70% of this export is focused on the United Arab Emirates. The most important products from Dutch soil are (quantity order 2013) onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, white cabbage, mushrooms and iceberg lettuce. Together, these 6 products account for 70% of the total amount in 2013. Dutch produce is exported to the Gulf region year-round. Normally, export is biggest during the autumn months.
The (statistical export) value of Dutch export of fresh fruit and vegetables to the Gulf states was smaller in 2013, at €46 million, than in the previous years, with a peak of €66 million in 2012. In the first half of this year, the export value has gone down a bit again.
The Gulf states themselves also produced fruit and vegetables, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Based on FAO figures, in 2012, 4.1 million tons of the more than 5.6 million tons were harvested in Saudi Arabia. Dates are by far the most important product, with a production of over a million tons. The tomato production has been around a level of 500,000 tons for years now. Watermelons, cucumbers/gherkins and melons are the other important products.
The Gulf states also exported fresh fruit and vegetables, but that was mostly mutual. All in all, the 5 Gulf states exported 313 million dollars’ worth in 2013, 130 million of which to other countries. The other main countries that are exported to are Jordan, India, the Maldives and Indonesia.
