Middle East Banana Market- Trend Analysis & Forecasts

Middle East Banana Market Overview:
The Middle East banana market is largely import-driven, with regional production unable to meet the growing consumer demand. In 2023, the region consumed ** million tonnes of bananas, with imports accounting for over **% of supply. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq are the largest consumers, with the UAE alone importing over ** thousand tonnes. Due to favorable trade routes and high-income consumer segments, the region has become a strategic destination for major banana-exporting countries including the Philippines, Ecuador, and India. The market is driven by retail and hospitality demand, especially in urban hubs like Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha.

Primary Areas/ Elements of Research & Analysis
The report provides comprehensive and valuable insights into the supply and demand dynamics of the Middle East banana market. Below are the variables considered and analyzed in the report:
• Supply-demand trends, market growth, and trade
• Market structure, conduct, and performance analysis
• Historical and forecasted market size (volume & value)
• Trade analysis (export & import), including key partners, quantities, values, and price trends
• Supply chain mapping, pricing, and regulatory framework
• Competitive landscape profiling of key players
• Factors influencing market performance, including sustainability trends

Market Growth Factors
The Middle East banana market is expected to grow at a CAGR of **% between 2024 and 2030, driven by rising health consciousness, population growth, and increasing preference for fruits with high potassium and fiber content. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s per capita banana consumption reached ** kg, up from ** kg in 2020. Government initiatives to diversify food imports and improve cold chain infrastructure—like Saudi Arabia’s US$ ** billion investment in food security—have facilitated faster import clearance and reduced spoilage. Additionally, the booming hospitality sector, with over ** new hotels projected to open in the Gulf by 2030, is expanding institutional banana demand.

Market Restraints & Challenges
Despite rising demand, the market faces challenges in logistics, climate sensitivity, and political disruptions in key transit regions. The Red Sea shipping disruptions in late 2023 caused delays in banana imports into Saudi Arabia and Jordan, pushing up wholesale prices by **% in Q1 2024. Import dependency makes the market vulnerable to supply-side shocks such as cyclones in the Philippines or labor strikes in Ecuador. Domestic banana production in countries like Oman, Egypt, and Iran is limited by water scarcity, with average yields at **–** MT/ha, below the global average of **–** MT/ha. Additionally, inconsistent temperature-controlled storage leads to post-import losses estimated at **–**%.

Market Segmentation
The market can be segmented by source country, end-user industry, and product type. By source, the Philippines leads with over **% market share, followed by Ecuador (**%), and India (**%). The retail segment—including hypermarkets, supermarkets, and online grocery platforms—accounts for nearly **% of banana sales, while HORECA channels (hotels, restaurants, cafés) represent about **%. Institutional buyers, such as hospitals and schools, make up the remaining **%. In terms of product types, Cavendish bananas dominate the market with over 90% share, while niche categories like organic and baby bananas are gaining popularity and growing at **% annually.

Competitive Landscape
Key players in the Middle East banana import and distribution landscape include Fresh Del Monte, Chiquita Brands International, Dole Food Company, and local firms such as Al Bakrawe Group (UAE), Nadec (Saudi Arabia), and Al Jazeera Agricultural Company. Multinational brands typically operate through regional logistics partners, ensuring last-mile distribution to both traditional retail outlets and modern trade channels. Some distributors are expanding value-added offerings such as pre-packed bananas and ready-to-eat fruit mixes to cater to the evolving urban consumer. Private label banana brands, especially through supermarket chains like Carrefour, Lulu, and Panda, are also gaining traction in the low-to-mid price segments.

Outlook
By 2030, the Middle East banana market is projected to reach ** million tonnes in annual consumption, underpinned by urbanization, rising incomes, and a growing preference for fresh, convenient foods. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to increase import volumes by **–**%, driven by retail modernization and greater emphasis on nutritional wellness. The market will likely see growing diversification into organic, Fairtrade, and environmentally certified bananas, aligning with sustainability goals. Regional initiatives to improve port logistics and cold chain infrastructure will enhance import efficiency, further consolidating the Middle East’s position as a premium banana destination in the global market.

Scope of the Report:
• Historical Years: 2018-2023
• Base Year: 2024
• Forecast Period: 2025-2030
• Units: Value (US$ Million) and Volume (Thousand Tonnes)
• Report Coverage: Production, Consumption, Export, and Import
• Segments Covered:
By Type (Cooking Banana and Table Banana)
By Form (Fresh and Dried)
By Nature (Organic and Conventional)
By Sales (Domestic Consumption and Exports)
• Companies Profiled: The market players include, Dole Food Company, Chiquita Brands International, Al Banan General Trading Co. Llc, Fyffes, Del Monte Fresh Produce, Bonita, Turbana Corporation, Al Bakrawe Group, Pacific Fruit Company, Compagnie Fruitière, Uniban, BanaBay, Port International, Cobana Fruchtring, Don Limon, Global Banana Export, and Others.

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