Apple market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian apple market volume showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 492.8 thousand tonnes in 2018, it contracted sharply to 306.4 thousand tonnes in 2019 and declined further to 277.9 thousand tonnes in 2020. A subsequent recovery brought the market to 333.1 thousand tonnes in 2021 and a peak of 348.5 thousand tonnes in 2022, before a steep drop to 231.8 thousand tonnes in 2023.

The pronounced market contraction in 2023 occurred alongside a period of severe price inflation for food and fruits in Syria, where prices rose by over 200% between 2023 and 2024. This surge, driven by high inflation and exchange rate pressures, increased production and distribution costs while reducing consumer affordability, leading to a lower volume of apples traded.

By 2024, additional pressures included drought conditions that hampered local agricultural output and the introduction of a new tax system and unified customs tariff, which altered import costs. These factors, combined with persistent economic sanctions and infrastructure limitations, continued to influence the market's operating environment.

Production apple in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Apple production in Syria has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Syria produced 267.8 thousand tons of apples, marking a moderate decrease of 6.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 476.6 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 39.9% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 54.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The highest production volume was achieved in 2018, while the lowest was in 2020, resulting in a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of apple output in Syria was 235.2 million US dollars, which is 13.8% lower than the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 539.7 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a 49.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 86.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Syria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from Syria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Syria exported 18 268 tons of apples, representing a sharp decline of 28.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 59.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 45.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the dominant buyer of Syrian apples, accounting for 75.5% of total exports in volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

Apple exports from Syria have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value amounted to 16 043 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic reduction of 34.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 61.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -27.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt remained the leading buyer of Syrian apples in value terms, with a share of 82.7% of total exports, while the rest was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports apple to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Imports reached their peak in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, showing a fluctuation of two times. In 2020, Syria's apple import volume totaled 28 346 tons, indicating a sudden reduction of 37.6% year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 437 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 77.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, apple imports to Syria were almost exclusively supplied by Turkey, which accounted for 97.3% of total imports in volume.

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

Apple imports to Syria have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 7 042 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial decline of 24.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 791 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, apple imports to Syria in value terms were almost entirely tied to Turkey, with its share amounting to 94.5% of total flows.

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

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