Apples, pears and quinces market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for apples, pears, and quinces in Syria fell sharply from 513 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 291 thousand tonnes in 2020. This contraction was driven primarily by adverse climatic conditions, including drought and low rainfall, which severely reduced fruit yields. Concurrently, international sanctions disrupted export flows, though by 2020 the government began implementing recommendations to facilitate border crossings and extend payment terms for fruit exports.

A recovery phase followed, with the market growing to 362 thousand tonnes by 2022. This rebound was supported by state-led initiatives such as the launch of the National Agricultural Strategy 2026‑2030, which promoted sustainable farming and water management. Additional measures included the establishment of agricultural offices for quality control and the approval of used tractor imports to modernize production.

In 2023, the market volume dropped again to 248 thousand tonnes. Persistent challenges, notably high production costs and insufficient support for farmers, outweighed the ongoing efforts to ease agricultural exports to regional markets.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

Syria's production of apples, pears, and quinces declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 289.3 thousand tons, marking a modest 6.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 499.7 thousand tons, which represented a 50.0% increase from the prior year. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, with production falling by 37.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market for apples, pears, and quinces in Syria showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Production value peaked in 2018 at 550.7 million US dollars, then dropped to its lowest point in 2020 at 236.2 million US dollars, resulting in a 2.3-fold variation. In 2020, the value decreased by 17.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 48.3%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 79.6% rise.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Syria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Syria exported 26 904 tons of apples, pears, and quinces, a significant 14.7% reduction from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 50%, equating to an average annual decline of 20.7%. The largest decrease was in 2018 at 45.9%, while the only increase occurred in 2019 with an 8.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the top buyer of Syrian apples, pears, and quinces, accounting for 61.8% of exports in volume. Saudi Arabia followed with 11.1%, and Former Sudan with 8.4%. Together, these three countries made up 81.3% of Syria's total exports in kind during this period.

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

Syria's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 21 966 thousand US dollars, a 24.1% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 55.7%, with an average annual decline of 23.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt dominated Syria's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, representing 70.2% of total flows. Other destinations accounted for relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume terms showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019 at 47 017 tons, marking a 1.9-fold increase between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 29 004 tons, down 38.3% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 73.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind were almost entirely concentrated in Turkey, which accounted for 97.2% of the total 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

Syria's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 7 264 thousand US dollars, a steep 26.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 18.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 291 thousand US dollars, which represented a 26.2% increase from the prior year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the primary source for Syria's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, absorbing 93.9% of the total.

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

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