Cabbages market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The cabbage market in Lebanon showed notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 62 278 tons in 2018, the market contracted over the next two years, falling to 58 195 tons in 2020. A recovery phase followed, lifting the market to a peak of 63 103 tons in 2022, before a modest decline to 60 703 tons in 2023.

The rebound in 2021, which saw market volume increase by 6.5% to 61 962 tons, coincided with a reform of Lebanon's public procurement system. This reform explicitly banned provisions in tender documents that could exclude locally manufactured goods, thereby strengthening demand for domestic agricultural products like cabbages from public-sector buyers. In 2022, the market's peak was accompanied by a significant rise in imports, while the adoption of Competition Law No. 281/2022 introduced a regulatory framework aimed at combating monopolies and fostering a more competitive market environment.

Market volume retreated to 60 703 tons in 2023. Ongoing regulatory attention to the agricultural sector was evident in 2024, with the General Directorate of Economy and Trade's annual report highlighting continued efforts to regulate the supply and sale of local produce and to enforce competition rules, shaping the operational landscape for markets including cabbages.

Production cabbages in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Cabbage production in Lebanon has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Lebanon produced 55 265 tonnes of cabbages, marking a modest 6.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 62 111 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.3%.

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

Exports cabbages from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 57 tonnes, while the maximum reached 209 tonnes in 2020, creating a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign cabbage supplies from Lebanon amounted to 209 tonnes, representing a steep 268.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 64.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait (44.1% of exports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (30.8% of exports in kind), and Qatar (16.2% of exports in kind) remained the top buyers of Lebanese cabbages, collectively accounting for 91.1% of total exports in kind.

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

Cabbage shipments from Lebanon to abroad have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 106 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 48.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 14.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 51 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 59.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar—together accounted for 86.1% of the total value of cabbage exports from Lebanon.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 235 tonnes, while the highest occurred in 2017, showing a peak-to-trough ratio of 19 times. In 2020, Lebanon imported 3 139 tonnes of cabbages, representing a 282.8% gain year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 94.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the key and almost sole market for cabbage imports to Lebanon, accounting for 96.4% of total flows in kind.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest imports were observed in 2018 at 218 thousand US dollars, with the highest in 2017, reflecting a 16-fold gap. In 2020, Lebanon imported a total of 1 570 thousand US dollars worth of cabbages, which is 324.6% higher compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 93.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms of cabbages to Lebanon were highly concentrated on Syria, which accounted for 98.1% of total flows.

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

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