Aubergines market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the aubergine market in Lebanon gradually contracted, with volumes falling from 75 789 t to 72 818 t. During this period, major producers launched promotional campaigns to boost consumption of fresh domestic aubergines over imported or smuggled alternatives. The market also faced competition from counterfeit Israeli products, while the European court intervened to officially register Lebanese aubergine varieties under Lebanon's name. In 2020, the implementation of the National Agriculture Strategy 2020‑2025 included support for aubergine cultivation among its priorities.

A sharp downturn occurred in 2021, as the market volume plummeted to 54 503 t. This was directly driven by the severe economic and political crises that hit Lebanon's agricultural sector, destabilizing production due to lack of government support and clear regulations. A partial recovery followed in 2022, with volumes rising to 56 809 t, supported by growing interest in promoting fresh national output, although high inflation and increased input costs constrained more robust growth.

In 2023, the market volume declined again to 50 625 t. Despite updates to agricultural legislation under the national strategy and rising local demand for fresh, healthy foods, distribution chains were disrupted by ongoing economic crises, limiting market access. Continued competition with imported and counterfeit products also persisted.

Production aubergines in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon ranked 29th globally in aubergine production.

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Production peaked in 2018 at 76 082 tonnes and reached its lowest point in 2017, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon produced 71 996 tonnes of aubergines, a decrease of 3.2% from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 115.7%.

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

Exports aubergines from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Aubergine exports from Lebanon declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 195 tonnes, down 7.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 39.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 15.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 391 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019, at 45.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 21.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait were the main markets for Lebanon's aubergine exports in volume terms. Qatar accounted for 35.6% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 27.7%, and Kuwait for 22.7%. Together, these three countries represented 85.9% of total export 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

In 2020, Lebanon's aubergine exports were valued at 367 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 15.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait were the principal destinations for Lebanon's aubergine exports in value terms. Qatar accounted for 36.3% of export value, the United Arab Emirates for 30.0%, and Kuwait for 19.4%. Collectively, these three markets made up 85.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports aubergines to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and dropped to their lowest point in 2018, with a 32-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's aubergine imports totaled 1 017 tonnes, a steep increase of 80.9% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 98 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018, at 96.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 475.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the primary source of aubergine imports to Lebanon, accounting for 99.4% of total imports in volume terms.

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

The market saw significant fluctuations during this period. Import values peaked in 2017 and bottomed out in 2018, with a 35-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's aubergine imports were valued at 490 thousand US dollars, an increase of 82.1% from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 144 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018, at 97.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 87.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria dominated Lebanon's aubergine imports in value terms, accounting for 99.7% of total import value.

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

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