Kuwait’s agricultural output drops, but value surges amid rising inflation

Official statistics revealed a notable rise in the value of Kuwaiti agricultural output — encompassing vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens — during the first four months of 2025. The total value reached KD 13.893 million, marking a 25.8% increase (equivalent to KD 2.85 million) compared to KD 11.04 million during the same period in 2024.

This surge in value came despite a 6.55% decline in production volume, which fell from 109.6 thousand tons to 102.4 thousand tons — a reduction of approximately 7 thousand tons.

The primary reason for the increased value, despite reduced output, is attributed to a 2.25% rise in the inflation rate in Kuwait over these four months. Notably, the food and beverage category recorded a 4.6% increase, driven by higher prices of fresh, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables, along with rising costs in other food categories such as meat, fish, dairy, oils, and fats.

Global supply chain disruptions — resulting from military conflicts in the Red Sea, Gaza, and Ukraine, along with regional instability in the Middle East — have contributed to worldwide inflation and commodity price hikes.

These external pressures, compounded by climate change effects and a decline in global agricultural output, have played a significant role in the inflation of food prices within Kuwait.

According to data from the General Administration of Statistics, local production in the first quarter of 2025 reached 74.6 thousand tons, valued at KD 10.34 million, compared to 98.85 thousand tons valued at KD 9.143 million in Q1 2024 — an increase of 13.1% in value (KD 1.2 million) despite a lower volume.