UAE Tomato Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 168 Million |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 245 Million |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 5.50 % |
UAE Tomato Market Analysis
The UAE Tomato Market size is estimated at USD 168 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 245 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- With its high per capita food consumption, the United Arab Emirates stands out as the most promising agricultural market in the GCC region. Ras al-Khaimah, a key emirate in the UAE, is the primary producer of the nation's vegetables, including tomatoes. The UAE's tomato market is thriving, driven by a growing consumer preference for locally sourced fresh produce, the rising adoption of advanced farming technologies, and supportive government policies that promote tomato cultivation.
- Despite these advancements, the UAE's climate poses challenges for tomato cultivation. The country's geographic constraints, including a scarcity of natural waterways, extreme temperatures, subpar soil quality, limited arable land, and minimal rainfall, have historically hindered the growth of a robust agricultural sector. Yet, buoyed by favorable government policies and the widespread adoption of modern agricultural techniques like hydroponics and greenhouse farming, the UAE's tomato market is witnessing significant growth. For instance, in 2022, the UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment mandated that government entities, including hospital authorities and the armed forces, prioritize purchases of locally grown produce, such as tomatoes. This move aims to bolster companies investing in Agritech, enhancing fresh produce cultivation even in challenging environmental conditions.
- Additionally, numerous regional firms are delving into tomato cultivation, leveraging advanced farming technologies to ensure year-round availability and reduce reliance on imports. For instance, in 2021, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, a tomato production specialist, partnered with PlanTFarm. Together, they aim to design, construct, and operate indoor vertical farms in the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on Dubai, utilizing PlanTFarm's cutting-edge technology.
UAE Tomato Market Trends
Growing Consumer Preference for Local Fresh Produce
The increasing awareness regarding the high nutritional value of vegetables increased the local fresh produce consumption of vegetables, including tomatoes, to meet diverse dietary and nutritional needs. Thus, with the growing demand and attractive price, production, and acreage have also been growing to satisfy the need. According to FAOSTAT, the production of tomatoes in the United Arab Emirates increased from 60.1 million metric tons in 2019 to 70.6 million metric tons in 2022. Further, the appetite for local produce products is gaining traction among UAE consumers. Consumers perceive local produce as of better quality and are aware of the low carbon footprint of local products compared to imported products. The demand is particularly more for Fresh vegetable produce, including tomatoes.
As consumers become more aware of the health advantages of fresh, local produce—like tomatoes, which are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—they're shifting their purchasing habits. This shift leans towards foods deemed more wholesome and beneficial for overall health. The farm-to-table movement is gaining momentum in the UAE, further driving the preference for fresh, local produce. Initiatives like farmers' markets, direct sales from producers, and collaborations between local growers and restaurants have amplified the appeal of locally sourced tomatoes. Even Hypermarkets like LuLu pledged to ramp up the number of locally-grown vegetables, including tomatoes, on its shelves and increase it to 15% by 2021.
To cater to this burgeoning demand, the UAE is leveraging cutting-edge agricultural methods, including hydroponics and vertical farming, to optimize space and enhance crop growth, particularly for tomatoes. These innovative techniques facilitate year-round production, ensuring a steady supply of fresh tomatoes. Furthermore, the adoption of technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) and climate control systems has bolstered the efficiency and yield of local tomato farms. Such advancements guarantee that the quality and availability of locally sourced tomatoes meet the high standards of consumer demand for fresh produce.
Increasing Import of Tomatoes
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been increasing its tomato imports to meet rising demand driven by several factors, including a growing population, diverse culinary needs, and limitations in local tomato production due to the country’s arid climate. Local tomato production peaks during the cooler months (typically from November to April), but during the hotter summer months, imports are crucial to fill supply gaps. Imported tomatoes often meet higher quality standards and specific variety preferences. The UAE imports premium tomatoes from countries known for high-quality produce, such as the Netherlands, to cater to high-end restaurants, hotels, and retail stores.
The UAE has prioritized food security and resilience, with policies encouraging food imports to ensure stable supplies of essential goods like tomatoes. To maintain a stable supply chain and prevent dependence on a single source, the UAE has been expanding its network of tomato suppliers, importing from countries like India, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and the Netherlands. As per the data from the ITC trade map, the country imports tomatoes majorly from Iran, Jordan, Oman, Syria, Turkey, India, etc., and they accounted for an export percentage of 25.1%, 26.5%, 1.7%, 4.7%, 3.9 and 3.1% respectively, in 2023. The United Arab Emirates imported tomatoes of 209,864 metric tons in 2022, which increased to 221,389 metric tons in 2023.
UAE Tomato Market News
- October 2024: The UAE government launched the Plant the Emirates national program to advance agricultural crop development including tomatoes and boost sustainable national food security.
- December 2023: In the UAE, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment directed government agencies such as hospital authorities and the armed forces to buy locally grown produce, including tomatoes, to support the companies investing in Agritech to facilitate the production of fresh produce in harsh environmental conditions.
- August 2022: Pure Harvest Smart Farms, a company that makes tomatoes, used the Islamic bond to get money so it could make tomatoes all year long and help the food security plan.
UAE Tomato Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.2.1 High Domestic Demand and Limited Local Production
4.2.2 Government Focus on Food Security
4.2.3 Rising Demand in the Foodservice Sector
4.3 Market Restraints
4.3.1 Cost of Controlled Environment Agriculture
4.3.2 High Import Dependency
4.4 Value Chain Analysis
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 Production Analysis (Volume)
5.2 Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value)
5.3 Import Market Analysis (Volume and Value)
5.4 Export Market Analysis (Volume and Value)
5.5 Price Trend Analysis
6. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
UAE Tomato Market Industry Segmentation
A tomato is a fruit that is commonly treated as a vegetable in culinary contexts. It is the edible, fleshy fruit of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, which belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Tomatoes are typically red when ripe, though they can also be yellow, orange, green, or purple, depending on the variety. The UAE Tomato market report provides Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value), Import Analysis (Volume and Value), Export Analysis (Volume and Value), and Price Trend Analysis in the country. The report offers market size and forecast in terms of value (USD) and volume (metric tons) for the above-mentioned segments.
UAE Tomato Market Research Faqs
How big is the UAE Tomato Market?
The UAE Tomato Market size is expected to reach USD 168 million in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 5.5% to reach USD 245 million by 2029.
What is the current UAE Tomato Market size?
In 2024, the UAE Tomato Market size is expected to reach USD 168 million.
What years does this UAE Tomato Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the UAE Tomato Market size was estimated at USD 158.76 million. The report covers the UAE Tomato Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the UAE Tomato Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
UAE Tomato Industry Report
The report on the Tomato market in the UAE provides a comprehensive analysis of various market aspects. The market offers insights into production analysis, consumption analysis, import analysis, export analysis, and price trend analysis. This market report provides valuable industry information, highlighting the market size and forecast in terms of value in USD million and volume in metric tons. The industry analysis includes a historical overview and a market forecast outlook to the future.
The growth rate of the tomato market is a key focus, with detailed market research and market trends being examined. The market update includes a review of price trends and market segmentation, offering a clear market overview. The industry reports cover the market growth and market value, providing an industry outlook that is essential for understanding market dynamics.
This industry research also identifies market leaders and provides market data that is crucial for market predictions. The report example and report PDF are available for further market analysis. The market forecast and industry statistics are meticulously detailed, ensuring a thorough understanding of the market size and industry trends.
The report is an essential tool for research companies and those interested in market review and market outlook. It offers an in-depth look at industry sales and industry size, providing a complete picture of the market's current state and future potential.
UAE Tomato Market Report Snapshots
