Review of the Olive Oil Market of MENA
MENA region has traditionally been a major producer and exporter of olive oil, which is facilitated by the nature conditions in the Middle East and North Africa. This marketing research showes the basic trends within olive oil production, consumption and foreign trade.
Olive Oil Production in the MENA Region in 2012-2015, 1000 Tones
On average, the production of olive oil in the MENA region is in the range of 600-900 thou tons per year. At the same time, there has been a significant decline in production in 2015 — down to 757 thousand tons, that is 128 thousand tones less than in 2014
Producers of the Olive Oil in the MENA Region in 2015, 1000 Tones
The largest producers of olive oil are Syria (180 thou tons in 2015), Tunisia (150 thou tons), Turkey (143 thou tons) and Morocco (130 thou tones). These countries account for nearly 80% of the total olive oil production in the MENA region. Other countries produce a little while importing relatively large volumes of olive oil.
Domestic Consumption of the Olive Oil in the MENA Region, 1000 Tones
The largest consumers of olive oil are Turkey (140 thou tons in 2015), Syria (130 thou tons) and Morocco (80 thou tones). Mentioned countries account for about 61% of the overall consumption in the MENA region. At the same time, Israel and Lebanon consume only about 20 thou tons per year.
Olive Oil Import in the MENA Region in 2012-2015, 1000 Tones
Since olive oil production in the region is quite large, the need for imports is non-essential. Imports of olive oil in the MENA fairly stable and varies between 50 thou tons per year.
Olive Oil Import in the MENA Region by Countries in 2015, 1000 Tones
The largest importers of olive oil are Saudi Arabia (20 thou tons in 2015), Libya (10 thou tones) and Lebanon (9 thou tons). Other countries do not play a significant role in the regional imports of olive oil.
Olive Oil Export by the MENA Region in 2012-2015, 1000 Tones
Taking into account the significant production of olive oil in the MENA countries and substantial demand abroad, significant amount of olive oil exports from MENA countries is robust. Thus, the export ranges between 150-400 thou tons per year. At the same time, export totaled 159 thousand tones (mainly to Europe) in 2015.
Olive Oil Export in the MENA Region by Countries in 2015, 1000 Tones
Tunisia is the clear leader of the export of olive oil in the MENA. It accounted for about 140 thousand tons in 2015. Morocco (55 thou tones) and Syria (30 thou tones) are also very significant exporters in this region.
Thus, the production and export potential of the MENA’s olive oil market are quite significant that we can consider as an attractive source of supply of olive oil. At the same time, the oil delivery is carried out in the shortest possible time anywhere in the world because of the convenient location near the sea transport hubs.
Department of International Market Studies, Maxrise Consulting
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