Page 10 - AA 2026

Editorial

GCC Fruit And Vegetable Market Analysis

The GCC fruit and vegetable market size is projected
to increase from USD 21.98 billion in 2025 to USD 22.43
billion in 2026 and reach USD 27.41 billion by 2031,
growing at a CAGR of 4.09% over 2026-2031. Expand-
ing protected-cultivation acreage, sovereign food-secu-
rity funds, and dual-use agri-voltaic projects are raising
domestic output and lowering post-harvest losses. Sov-
ereign mandates to lift self-sufficiency have unlocked
capital for climate-controlled greenhouses, hydropon-
ics, and vertical farms, while desalination-brine valori-
zation is trimming fertilizer import bills. Consumption
targets of 400 grams per person per day are accelerating
premiumization, and retail chains are carving out shelf
space for locally grown produce. Competitive intensity
remains moderate, yet technology adoption, artificial-in-
telligence climate optimization, Internet of Things ferti- are scaling up more rapidly, advancing the GCC fruit
gation control, and blockchain traceability are widening and vegetable market toward improved quality stan-
the gap between integrated operators and smallholders. dards.
Expanding Protected-Cultivation Acreage Increasing Per-Capita Fruit and Vegetable Intake
Targets
Protected agricultural structures expanded signifi-
cantly by the end of 2025, with a notable increase from The nutrition campaigns in the United Arab Emirates
the previous year, as farmers prioritized safeguarding and Saudi Arabia aim to increase annual consumption of
crops from extreme summer temperatures that often fruits and vegetables, thereby driving demand for fresh
exceed 45 degrees Celsius. The use of greenhouses produce. In 2024, the Ministry of Health and Preven-
has proven effective in extending growing seasons by tion (MoHAP) launched a nutrition-focused awareness
several months and significantly reducing water con- campaign to improve community health by encourag-
sumption, particularly in regions with limited renewable ing the inclusion of fruits and vegetables in daily diets.
freshwater resources. During this period, Qatar made The campaign was conducted across the United Arab
substantial progress by commissioning additional pro- Emirates, providing practical guidance on incorporat-
tected structures, which contributed to a considerable ing essential fruits and vegetables into regular meals
improvement in its vegetable self-sufficiency. Similarly, and addressing challenges such as affordability, avail-
the AgTech Park initiative in the United Arab Emirates ability, and time constraints that hinder healthy eating.
set ambitious production goals to address a portion of Saudi Arabia introduced origin labels in 2025 that favor
Abu Dhabi’s vegetable demand. greenhouse produce over imports. Retailers Lulu Hyper-
market and Carrefour responded by expanding local-
Government Food-Security Funds for Desert Agri- product aisles, mirroring the growth of the GCC fruit and
culture vegetable market.
The United Arab Emirates is making significant invest- Surplus Desalination Brine Valorized for Fertigation
ments in food security through strategic funds, aiming to
become a global leader by 2051. The United Arab Emir- In 2025, a significant volume of reject brine was gener-
ates launched the National Strategy for Food Security in ated, amounting to billions of cubic meters. The Saudi
2024, aiming to position the country as the best in the utility company Marafiq undertook mineral extraction
Global Food Security Index by 2051. This strategy fo- at its Jubail facility, contributing to a notable reduction
cuses on developing a comprehensive national system in the country’s reliance on imported fertilizers. Dur-
to enable sustainable food production through modern ing the same year, the United Arab Emirates committed
technologies and enhanced local production. Qatar’s substantial financial resources to upgrading multiple
updated strategy aims to achieve 70% local leafy-green plants, with the objective of achieving a considerable
supply by 2030. These investments address long pay- production of nutrient salts within a few years. The Gulf
back periods, secure long-term renewable power con- Cooperation Council Standardization Organization has
tracts, and require GlobalG.A.P. compliance as a financ- introduced a classification system that designates these
ing condition. Consequently, capital-intensive facilities inputs as organic, provided their heavy-metal concen-
tration remains within permissible limits. The practice of
8 Arab Agriculture 2026