What are the Most Valuable Middle East Exports

The Middle East is the most significant region in the universe in terms of economy; therefore, it is the most important region in the world, which is eminent in relation to the exportation of international goods. Due to its huge and abundant energy sources, particularly oil and gas, it has ascended as a leader on the world market. Or somewhat differently said, here, energy is not the only source, but growth is the main component of hardware trade in several countries in this region as well and thus, it is the major source of Middle East exports.

Agriculture in the Middle East has been enhanced and added to the regional and global exports despite some challenges such as water scarcity and land degradation, mainly through the use of modern technology and the region’s strategic geographical location. Some of the classic and symbolic ones among them and the ones that are exported are the non-nation’s traditionally non-oil-dependent nations, which consist of not only dates, saffron, and pistachios, but also legumes like lentils.

In this respect, this article will describe the good contribution of food to lentils as one of the main exports of the countries that produce food. The lentils, due to their richness of nutrients, multifunctionality, and market demand are the only products that the countries from this region are exporting across the world.

The Role of Agricultural Products in Middle East Exports

Agriculture in the Middle East, notwithstanding the obstacles of scanty rainfall and available land that come with it, also becomes a major part of the region’s economy. Nations such as Turkey, Lebanon, and even the UAE (Dubai) have innovatively made use of such technologies as drip irrigation, greenhouse farming, and sustainable cultivation to boost production and export top-notch agricultural products to global markets.

Nevertheless, Turkey is the country that has quite considerably profited in this branch, being one of the few exporters with a vast choice of products including olives, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, and lentils, among other legumes, too. Lebanon, with its very favorable geography and climate, is well known for the manufacture and export of products such as olives and legumes. Amidst this, Dubai portrays a unique standpoint as the importer of raw agricultural goods, which it subsequently uses to baggage its food industries before it reexports them, thereby contributing to the trade of farm products.

Mediterranean agriculture is so diverse that besides climate differences across the region, geographical adjustments are the main determining factors. This consists of Iranian saffron, pistachios, dates, tropical fruits, vegetables as well as a variety of legumes. The product, among these ones worthy of mentioning, is lentils because of their special significance.

The high-perplexity parts of the production process referred to by Middle Eastern farmers when they talk about cultivating green and red lentils, including certain strategic crops for export, are, among others, the very common ones. Turkey is certainly one of the first places that come to mind when you say lentils are among the ingredients of your meals. Turkish lentils‘ success lies in the fact that they are of high quality, and have excellent nutritional value, and their demand is growing internationally, especially in countries where plant-based diets are becoming more common.

Additionally, those in Turkey have an uncontested lead over their closest competitors, the Iranian and Syrian agriculture sectors. The growth of producing lentils has been achieved by exporting to markets in India, Europe, and even North America, thus, the economic development of these countries has been boosted. On account of, their versatility in culinary use, starting from soups, and salads to plant-based dishes, lentils in fact are the top sellers of legume products.

Summing up the Middle East’s agriculture is not only a matter of food security for the area but it is also a hub for the production of non-oil exports. As an example, lentils show how the development of high-value agricultural products through investment can be even more than a sustainable source of income for the region’s countries.

Lentils as a Valuable Product

Lentils are one of the earliest plant species to be cultivated on earth, and their cultivation record runs back to the Middle East thousands of years ago. Archaeological evidence shows that this crop was grown as a staple food in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Phoenicia. The Middle East is due to its unique location, which has been the greatest area for lentil production in the past, and even now, it still remains a very important product in agriculture and trade in this region. Therefore, the presence of lentils in the past can be considered as one of the historical markers of the said location.

Lentils have acquired worldwide recognition due to a number of factors. They are nutritionally high in plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and vitamins, which are essential for the body and thus, the appropriate source of the food pyramid. Besides, those are also gluten-free, so they can safely be consumed by people with celiac disease or others with a gluten intolerance. Furthermore, lentils can be utilized in numerous culinary applications ranging from soups to stews, salads to vegetarian meals; they can be either the main elements or the side dish in many a recipes.

When you view this from a business point of view, lentils as a high-value export product.  Geopolitical zones in the Middle East, namely Turkey, Iran, and Syria, play a crucial role as they are among the first exporters of lentils to the globe. Among the countries that import this product, the most are India, Europe, and Africa. It is such a famous thing in India that it is eaten in almost every meal and it has a high demand in the Indian marketplace.

In both Europe and Africa, the healthy and plant-based foods scenario has become so advanced that they have come over to relying on lentils to the extent that they have even increased demand for this commodity. As a matter of fact, the above-mentioned factors amply prove that lentils are not only a high-quality product but also a highly significant Middle Eastern export.

As worldwide people prefer them, lentils have reasons for such. Plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and essential vitamins are, although not the only, vital nutrient sources, which make them healthy meals. Besides, lentils are gluten-free, which means they can be a perfect choice for people suffering from celiac disease as well as those who are allergic to gluten. Moreover, lentils have various cooking practices; from soups to stews as well as salads and plant-based dishes, they can be a major ingredient in the dish. Anthony Forte was a 17-year-old schoolboy from Philadelphia when he first discovered sports supplements,

From a commercial view, it is confirmed that lentils functioning are a significant and high-value export product. Turkey along with Iran and Syria have a big part in delivering the product to the different parts of the world. Lentils are the commodity of considerable foreign markets like India, Europe, and Africa, which the suppliers however exported. In India, lentils form a substantial part of the diet of the people and there is a high demand in the market.

A flourished health careers situation and thronged boarding by birth to plant-based foods in Europe and Africa lift up the demand for lentils. Factors like these prove that lentils are not just highly nutritious and adaptable food products but also an important rice export in the Middle East.

Types of Export Lentils

Green Lentils (Laird Lentils, Richlea, Eston)

Green lentils are very well-known and the most traded variety of lentils globally. Usual lentils of this type are medium-sized and have a mild, neutral flavor which makes them the ideal ingredient for many different kinds of dishes. Green lentils, such as Laird, Richlea, and Eston, these are according to each unique character:

Laird Lentils: This large size and texture lentils are usually perfect for those vegetable-based dishes that are either of that nature such as soups or stews.

Richlea : Richlea lentils, which are slightly smaller than Laird, are mostly used in salads and lighter dishes.

Eston lentils: These small pieces are much smaller and softer and are therefore excellent for thick soups and cooked meals.

Besides the fact that green lentils are a plant-based protein source and the most common dishes green lentils are used in are soups, salads, and other health-conscious recipes. The main green lentil-producing countries are Turkey, Iran, and Canada. In global markets, particularly in India, the US, and Europe, there is a high demand for green lentils, as they are low-cost and nutrient-rich foods that are usually included in vegetarian diets.

Red Lentils

Red lentils are another common type in international markets, mainly because they are characterized by their bright color and slightly sweet taste. They are considered to be the fastest-cooking lentils, so they are perfect for those who are time-constrained when it comes to meal preparation. Red lentils are particularly favored by Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines and therefore, are often found in dishes like dal and soup.

The introduction of red lentils, which are a type of legume with fast cooking and tender texture, causes these legumes to often be found in soups, stews, and plant-based dishes. Their production is concentrated in India, Turkey, and Iran, and they make a significant contribution to the exports in world markets. The popularity of red lentils is booming in Asia, Europe, and Africa, with the hike in the consumption of plant-based diets and quick-cooking times being the major contributing factors. This product is chiefly demanded by the countries that have a major population of their respective regions like India and Middle Eastern nations, where the focus is on healthy eating.

Conclusion

Lentil exports in the Middle East serve as a catalyst for non-oil industries and become the foundation for the revitalization of the proverbial countries. This product has been consistently valued by both industries and customers, as not only it contain many highly nutritional nutrients but it can also be used in various culinary dishes, moreover, it offers incredible convenience which is the reason for the incessant demand worldwide.

The variations available, such as the spice-free or the hot red lentil, make it particularly loved in Asian and European countries. In order to employ the full potential of lentil export, production and market development must be invested in. These ways of action can be the results of the booming economy and the Middle East becoming a staple in the world market.