Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, ending the period with overall growth. After an initial contraction to 29 374 t in 2019, market volume surged by over 36% in 2020 to exceed 40 000 t. This level was largely maintained in 2021 before a moderate dip in 2022. The market recovered strongly in 2023, reaching 42 203 t, which represented a 20% increase compared to the 2018 baseline.

Domestic production mirrored this volatile trajectory, falling sharply in 2019 but then expanding rapidly to meet rising demand. Output climbed from 32 360 t in 2018 to 41 572 t in 2023, indicating an increased reliance on local manufacturing. Over the same period, import volumes declined substantially, from nearly 3 000 t to around 1 100 t, suggesting a shift toward greater self-sufficiency in dairy fats.

The market's resilience is evident in its recovery from the 2022 slowdown, with 2023 volumes setting a new high for the period. Despite annual variations, the consistent upward trend in production capacity supported the market's expansion throughout these years.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

Syria's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats reached 39,198 tonnes in 2020, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 47.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 21.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 26,568 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.9%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The export data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Syria's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats bottomed out in 2018 at 41 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 462 tonnes, representing an 11.1-fold difference between these years. The 2020 export volume marked a dramatic 152.4% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 61.5%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 341.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia accounted for 78.5% of Syria's total butter, dairy spreads, and milk fat exports in volume terms, with the remaining exports distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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 butter, dairy spreads, and milk fat exports in value terms have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached $1.448 million, reflecting a substantial 45.4% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values surged by 711.1%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 100.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia dominated Syria's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fat exports in value terms, accounting for 77.8% of total export value, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Syria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Syria's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined in 2020 to 1,367 tonnes, marking a 54.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 40.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 15.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,988 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 28.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands (53.1% of import volume), France (8.0%), and Belgium (6.8%) were Syria's primary suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, collectively accounting for 67.9% of total import 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 butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports fell to $6.198 million, representing a sharp 60.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values dropped by 47.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 19.2%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at $18.217 million, which also saw the largest increase of 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (55.0% of import value), France (9.9%), and Denmark (7.8%) contributed the most to Syria's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fat imports in value terms, together accounting for 72.8% of total import value.

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

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