Kuwait’s agricultural output declines 12.65% to 176,760 tons in 7 months
. . . but value climbs to 23.9 million dinars or 13.8%; Six crops account for 80% of production with tomatoes leading output
Kuwait produced 176,760 tons of agricultural products during the first seven months of 2026, down 12.65 percent, or around 25,600 tons, from 202,360 tons in the corresponding period last year, according to data from the General Administration of Statistics.
Despite the decline in production volume, the total value increased by 13.8 percent to 23.946 million dinars, compared to 21.04 million dinars in the same period of 2025.
The figures cover 70 varieties of vegetables, fruits and leafy greens. The increase in production value, despite lower output, points to a rise of around 30.3 percent in the average monetary value per ton compared with last year, reflecting the growing pressure of agricultural production costs and supply prices in local and international markets.
Production in the first quarter of 2026 reached approximately 90,000 tons, valued at 10.871 million dinars, while output in the second quarter stood at around 77,000 tons, worth 11.504 million dinars. In July, production amounted to approximately 9,800 tons, valued at 1.57 million dinars.
Tomatoes were the leading crop, with production reaching 56,610 tons worth 7.93 million dinars, accounting for approximately one-third of total agricultural output. Cucumbers ranked second at 32,683 tons, valued at 3.11 million dinars, representing 13 percent of production. Peppers came third with 12,040 tons worth 2.76 million dinars, accounting for 11.5 percent.
Eggplant production reached 14,374 tons, valued at 2.03 million dinars, while potatoes recorded 16,978 tons worth 1.96 million dinars. Lettuce production stood at approximately 9,460 tons, valued at 1.26 million dinars.
Together, these six crops accounted for 142,157 tons, or 80.42 percent of total production, with a combined value of 19.078 million dinars, representing 79.6 percent of the overall value.
Among other crops, pumpkin production reached 5,725 tons, valued at 508,000 dinars, while cauliflower amounted to 4,663 tons worth 608,200 dinars. Zucchini production stood at 2,541 tons, valued at 468,800 dinars, and beans recorded 935 tons worth 411,000 dinars.
On the foreign trade front, Kuwait’s plant and agricultural imports reached approximately 139.835 million dinars in the first quarter of 2026. Grains accounted for the largest share at 46.091 million dinars, followed by fruits at 37.055 million dinars, coffee, tea and spices at 22.931 million dinars, and vegetables, plants and roots at 21.039 million dinars.
In comparison, the value of Kuwait’s agricultural exports stood at approximately 3.4 million dinars, covering mill products, barley, grain starch, coffee, tea and edible fruits.
The production figures highlight the contrast between declining domestic output and rising production value. The concentration of more than 80 percent of agricultural production in just six crop categories also underlines their importance to local market supplies.
This comes amid food and beverage inflation reaching 6 percent in July, compared with overall inflation of 2.1 percent and highlights the greater price pressures facing the food sector.
