Vegetable Market Overview in Kuwait
Market Overview
For the sixth consecutive year, the Kuwaiti vegetable market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -
% to $
in 2019. Over the period under review, consumption saw a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the market value increased by
% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $
in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, vegetable production declined to $
in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production saw a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by
% year-to-year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $
in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.
In 2019, the average yield of vegetables in Kuwait shrank to
tonnes per ha, stabilizing at the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +
% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of
% y-o-y. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of
tonnes per ha. From 2014 to 2019, the growth of the average vegetable yield failed to regain the momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.
The vegetable harvested area in Kuwait rose remarkably to
ha in 2019, picking up by
% compared with 2018 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of
% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to vegetable production reached the maximum at
ha in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.




In value terms, vegetable production declined to $



In 2019, the average yield of vegetables in Kuwait shrank to




The vegetable harvested area in Kuwait rose remarkably to




Consumption
In 2019, consumption of vegetables in Kuwait amounted to
tonnes, with an increase of
% on 2018. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +
% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of
% y-o-y. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of
tonnes. From 2014 to 2019, the growth of the consumption remained at a lower figure.
The size of the vegetable market in Kuwait contracted modestly to $
in 2019, approximately equating 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). In general, consumption saw a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of
% year-to-year. Vegetable consumption peaked at $
in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.





The size of the vegetable market in Kuwait contracted modestly to $



Consumption By Type
Tomatoes (
tonnes), potatoes (
tonnes) and dry onions (
tonnes) were the main products of vegetable consumption in Kuwait, with a combined
% share of total consumption. These products were followed by cucumbers and gherkins, fresh vegetables, nes, watermelons, lettuce and chicory, cabbage and other brassicas, chilies and peppers (green), eggplants (aubergine), cauliflower and broccoli, carrots and turnips, melons, garlic, green beans, mushrooms and truffles, spinach, asparagus, peas (green) and leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, which together accounted for a further
%.
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of vegetable consumption, amongst the leading consumed products, was attained by green bean, while vegetable consumption for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, tomatoes ($
) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by potatoes ($
). It was followed by lettuce and chicory.
From 2007 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the market volume of tomatoes stood at -
%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: potatoes (+
% per year) and lettuce and chicory (+
% per year).





From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of vegetable consumption, amongst the leading consumed products, was attained by green bean, while vegetable consumption for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, tomatoes ($


From 2007 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the market volume of tomatoes stood at -



Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for vegetable in Kuwait, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +
% for the period from 2019 to
, which is projected to bring the market volume to
tonnes by the end of
.




Market Structure
In 2019, the share of imports in total consumption accounted for
% in value terms and
% in physical terms. The share of imports increased moderately (
percentage point) over the period under review.



Trade Balance
Kuwait remains a net importer of vegetable; in physical and value terms, imports consistently exceeded exports from 2007 to 2019. In 2019, there was a significant trade deficit of
tonnes, which was equal to $
. This tangible trade deficit reflects the fact that the market remains dependent on imports, which is likely to continue in the medium term.


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