The vegetable processing industry in the United Arab Emirates has shown a steady increase in production over the past decade, starting from 99.0 thousand metric tons in 2014 and reaching 121.0 thousand metric tons in 2023. This represents a gradual growth pattern with occasional fluctuations.
Key trends include:
- Significant year-on-year increase of 12.12% in 2015, followed by a decline of 2.7% in 2016.
- Growth resumption with an 8.33% increase in 2017, and subsequent slight variations in the following years.
- A consistent growth trend from 2020 onwards, with minor annual increases around 0.85% to 1.68% up to 2023.
- The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years is calculated at 1.2%.
Looking to the future, the forecast suggests a continued but modest growth with a CAGR of 0.65% from 2024 to 2028, indicating the industry will reach 126.0 thousand metric tons by 2028. Total growth over these next five years is projected to be 3.28%.
Future trends to watch for include potential technological advancements in vegetable processing, impacts of sustainability practices, and the influence of consumer preferences towards organic and locally sourced produce.
