Production and Consumption of Key Vegetables in Kuwait

The most successful and sought-after variety among farmers covers only about 25% of actual consumption, and this production is irregular throughout the year due to traditional farming methods and the exposure of growing seasons to market and climate fluctuations. Projected consumption through 1990 is shown in Table 2 Domestic production of cucumbers covers only 3% of consumption needs. Based on an analysis of consumption tables from previous years and population growth trends through 1990, the annual tomato consumption rate is projected to rise from 37,390 tons in 1980 to 58,,740 tons in 1990, with an annual growth rate of approximately 3,000 tons of increased consumption per year. As for cucumbers, the consumption rate, which was 10,910 tons in 1981, will rise to 17,1,400 tons in 1990, representing an estimated annual increase of approximately 1,000 tons. It is noteworthy that annual per capita tomato consumption rose from 18.78 kilograms per person in 1977 to 29.72 kilograms in 1980 (Table 3). Similarly, annual per capita consumption of cucumbers rose from 6.4 kilograms in 1977 to 8 kilograms in 1980. In addition to cucumber and tomato consumption, the production of lettuce and large green peppers is proving successful in protected farms. As for lettuce, its consumption rate in 1983 was approximately 11,249 tons and is expected to double to about 22,,938 tons in 1990, representing an estimated annual increase of approximately 2,000 tons. Since lettuce consumption in Kuwait—estimated at approximately 4,000 tons annually—is not included in these figures, and given that per capita consumption was 3 kilograms in 1979 and rose to approximately 5 kilograms in 1980, or about 7,674 tons per year