Cabbages market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian cabbage market began the period with cabbages being one of the most cultivated vegetables in the country, supported by a large number of farmers focused on local agriculture. Market volume grew by 25% to 60 800 metric tons in 2019. However, in 2020, international sanctions and financial obstacles limited the import of agricultural inputs, leading to a 7% contraction in market volume to 56 500 metric tons.

After a 10% recovery to 62 100 metric tons in 2021, the market faced a sharp 24% drop to 47 300 metric tons in 2022. A turnaround followed in 2023, with market volume expanding by 15% to 54 300 metric tons as the economy moved towards a free-market model, attracting new players and improving the investment climate in the agricultural sector.

In 2024, the government introduced new laws to restructure state-owned companies in the food sector, including the establishment of a General Food Industries Company, and reduced customs duties on some products, aiming to stimulate the economy and address food security challenges.

Production cabbages in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

In 2020, Syria produced 58 543 tons of cabbages, marking a 5.4% decline compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 48 341 tons, while the highest was in 2019 with 61 895 tons. The most significant decrease occurred in 2018, dropping by 7.9%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 28.0%.

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

Exports cabbages from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 14.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria's cabbage export volume reached 3 201 tons, representing a substantial increase of 170.4% from the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 316 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 92.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, jumping by 274.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon was the dominant destination for Syria's cabbage exports in kind, accounting for 91.3% of the total trade flows.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The highest export value was observed in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 14.2 times. In 2020, Syria exported 1 670 thousand US dollars worth of cabbages, reflecting a significant increase of 163.2% compared to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 252 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2018, dropping by 92.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Lebanon concentrated nearly all of Syria's cabbage exports in value terms, holding a share of 92.0% of the total flows.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 13.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Syria imported a total of 1 131 tons of cabbages, reflecting a sharp increase of 1,229.5% over the past year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 85 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 86.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the almost exclusive supplier of cabbages to Syria in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total imports.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values varied 9.5 times from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020. In 2020, Syria imported a total of 177 thousand US dollars worth of cabbages, indicating a rise of 853.9% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 19 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 78.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for imports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Turkey alone responsible for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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