Beef and buffalo meat market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Syria's beef and buffalo meat market volume rose from around 50 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 52.5 thousand tonnes in 2019, then surged to a peak of 65 thousand tonnes in 2020. This growth period unfolded alongside reported challenges, including rising feed prices, currency depreciation, and internal conflicts that pressured production costs and supply chains.

A reversal began in 2021, with the market contracting to 63.5 thousand tonnes, followed by a steep decline to 50.5 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 42.4 thousand tonnes in 2023. The downturn was driven by persistently high feed costs and a liquidity crisis in 2021. In 2022, a government move to permit meat exports—though not executed—contributed to higher domestic prices and market uncertainty, while 2023 saw further deterioration in livestock herds due to increased smuggling and supply shortages, compounding the decline.

In 2024, market conditions remained strained, characterized by sharp price increases and supply shortfalls. Authorities responded by removing some import duties on meat products and tightening oversight of slaughterhouses in an attempt to curb price manipulation and secure supplies.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Syria's beef and buffalo meat production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 64 989 tonnes, marking a significant 23.8% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 20.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 49 918 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.6%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Syria

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria's export market in kind was highly concentrated, with Kuwait accounting for 100.0% of all exports.

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

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Kuwait was virtually the sole buyer of Syrian beef and buffalo meat in value terms, purchasing 100.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility over these years. Import volumes fluctuated widely, dropping 17-fold from the peak in 2017 to the low in 2018. In 2020, Syria's imports of beef and buffalo meat amounted to 67 tonnes, a sharp year-on-year decline of 94.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Romania dominated Syria's imports in kind, together holding a 99.4% share of total flows.

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 data points to irregular shifts, reflecting a volatile market. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with an 11.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria imported around 300 000 US dollars worth of beef and buffalo meat, down 91.3% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the leading source for Syria's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, making up 78.2% of the total. The remainder was spread across several smaller markets.

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

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