Alliaceous vegetables market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Production of alliaceous vegetables in Syria grew from 156.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 176.7 thousand tons by 2021, supported by state-owned companies and government subsidies aimed at food security, while market size peaked at 189.4 thousand tons in 2019 due to a surge in imports. The launch of research programs to develop new plant varieties with improved characteristics contributed to rising output by 2020, even as changes in consumer behavior influenced by price increases affected consumption levels.

A key shift occurred in 2021 when authorities permitted the export of products like garlic and onions, directly stimulating export volumes and supporting continued production growth. However, output sharply fell to 133.8 thousand tons and market size dropped to 153.2 thousand tons in 2022, coinciding with reported challenges from climatic conditions and the ongoing war, which impacted agricultural yields.

Recovery followed in 2023, with production returning to 171.3 thousand tons and market size reaching 170.4 thousand tons, bolstered by state developmental projects such as concessional loans for farmers and efforts to restructure the agricultural sector under the national strategy framework.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Syria's production of alliaceous vegetables has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 171 765 tonnes, marking a 7.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 156 926 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.6% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Syria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Syria

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of alliaceous vegetables from Syria showed significant fluctuations during this period. The highest point was in 2018 at 7 643 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1 868 tonnes, representing a 4.1-fold difference. In 2020, exports dropped by 48.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 52.5% decrease, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 167.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Syria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Syria's alliaceous vegetable exports were Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Jordan accounted for 46.5% of exports in kind, Lebanon for 24.7%, and Turkey for 21.6%. Together, these three countries represented 92.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Syria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Syria's alliaceous vegetable exports in value terms declined in 2020. That year, exports totaled 2 807 thousand US dollars, a 30.0% reduction from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 45.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 13.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 4 010 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 63.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Syria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon were the key partners for Syria's alliaceous vegetable exports in value terms. Turkey held a 42.8% share, Jordan 31.0%, and Lebanon 21.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 95.2% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Syria in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of alliaceous vegetables into Syria experienced notable fluctuations. The lowest level was in 2018 at 2 315 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 33 506 tonnes, showing a 14.5-fold variation. In 2020, imports fell to 15 130 tonnes, down 54.8% year-on-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 90.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 347.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Syria in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, Turkey and Uzbekistan dominated Syria's imports of alliaceous vegetables in kind, with other countries making up the remainder of the import structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Syria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Syria's alliaceous vegetable imports showed an unstable trend. The minimum was in 2018 at 462 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 7 737 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 17-fold shift. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 6 621 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 14.4% from the previous year. The largest decrease was in 2018 at 81.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 574.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Syria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Egypt, and Uzbekistan were the primary partners for Syria's alliaceous vegetable imports in value terms. Turkey accounted for 46.5% of imports, Egypt for 27.1%, and Uzbekistan for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 85.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Syria in value, 2017-2020