“Asian markets are set to spearhead global growth in fruit and vegetable imports in the coming years,” stated Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the Investment Centre of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), during the Online training session titled ‘Navigating the Southeast Asian fruit & vegetable market. Opportunities for Egypt and Morocco’.
The training was organized for companies from Egypt and Morocco involved in exports of fruits and vegetables and interested in opportunities in Southeast Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam) by FAO/EBRD Project: Food Security Package SEMED – Diversifying and adding value to export markets.
Andriy Yarmak noted, “Each year, key Asian importers such as India, China, Japan, and ASEAN countries collectively add $3 billion to their cumulative imports of fruits and vegetables.”
This annual increase means that Asia is creating each year a completely new market of the size that, for instance, almost corresponds to the annual fruit and vegetable exports of Egypt, thereby opening up numerous opportunities for new suppliers. While North America and the EU remain the largest importers in absolute volumes, their growth rates are lagging behind those of Asia.
“Focusing on the EU for fruit and vegetable exports often means facing stiff competition from established suppliers. In contrast, entering the Asian market allows exporters to grow their exports naturally alongside the market’s expansion,” Yarmak added.
Southeast Asia, in particular, will play a crucial role in this overall growth. Home to over 710 million people, nearly a tenth of the global population, this region represents a massive consumer market that is expected to grow much faster than other parts of the world in the coming years.
“Southeast Asia boasts excellent demographics, including both mature and young consumers diverse in ethnicity, culture, and religion, offering a wide array of niches for fruit and vegetable suppliers. The region’s high population density also limits the potential for increased domestic production of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Southeast Asia is a well-known hub for global trade and logistics, which facilitates market access,” Yarmak explained.
These trends are corroborated by recent developments in the Asian onion market, which we discussed in a separate article on the acute onion shortage in the region. A combination of climatic, economic, political, and demographic factors is likely to make the onion shortage a persistent issue in Asian markets. Similar situations are observed in many other segments, contributing to the rapid growth in demand in Southeast Asia and adjacent subregions.
A video recording of the training on Southeast Asian market opportunities for fruit and vegetable exporters from Egypt, Morocco, and beyond is available on EastFruit’s YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated with our latest videos, and feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions.
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