Almonds market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The almond market in Lebanon experienced a severe contraction from 2018 to 2021, with production plummeting from 28 811 tons to 10 136 tons. This was primarily driven by the onset of a deep economic crisis in 2019, which crippled agricultural investment and increased production costs. The situation worsened in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic and associated disasters disrupted farming activities and shifted consumer reliance towards imports. By 2021, acute shortages of fuel and fertilizers, key inputs for almond cultivation, further constrained output.

From 2022, production stabilized around 10 000 tons, while market volume began a tentative recovery, reaching 13 763 tons in 2023. This period was marked by extreme climate events, including droughts and floods, which reduced almond-planted areas by an estimated 40% in some regions. Simultaneously, a drastic depreciation of the Lebanese pound against the dollar made production more expensive and inflated food prices. Geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Gaza and disruptions in the Red Sea, added pressure on supply chains and import logistics from 2023 onward. By 2024, these factors contributed to rising import volumes as domestic output remained constrained.

Production almonds in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon ranked 17th globally in almond production.

Top producers of almonds, 2017-2020

World map of production of almonds, 2017-2020

Almond production in Lebanon declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Lebanon produced 10 844 tonnes of almonds, marking a 30.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 67.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -31.4%.

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

Exports almonds from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Almond exports from Lebanon increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 587 tonnes, up 45.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 829.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 110.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (27.1% of exports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (26.4%), and Kuwait (16.1%) were the primary destinations for Lebanon's almond exports, collectively accounting for 69.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign almond supplies from Lebanon increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 928 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant rise of 22.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 148.4%, with an annualized rate of 35.4%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with Saudi Arabia (20.2% of exports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (17.9%), and Qatar (10.5%) together accounting for 48.5% of total flows, and no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports almonds to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon imported 1 745 tonnes of almonds in 2020, a drop of 60.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 58.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 363 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 85.4% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Lebanon's almond import value was 11 612 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 63.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 58.6%, with an annualized decrease of 25.5%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 31 572 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently represented 85.1% of total imports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the rest distributed among other countries.

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

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