Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Lebanon, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh capsicum and pimenta fruits in Lebanon expanded from 9 284 tons in 2018 to nearly 13 000 tons in 2021, primarily driven by a sharp increase in imports which reached over 3 600 tons in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered international trade flows, contributing to higher import volumes as domestic supply chains adjusted. During this growth phase, the sector operated against a backdrop of legislative gaps in seed trade regulation and calls for deep agricultural reforms.

After 2021, the market volume contracted to around 9 400 tons by 2023, coinciding with a steep drop in imports. In 2023, stagnation in wholesale market projects created distribution bottlenecks for agricultural produce, including peppers, directly impacting market accessibility. Simultaneously, the broiler production sector expanded significantly to 140 000 tons annually, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences toward fresh meat that may have indirectly affected vegetable demand.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production fell to 8 844 tonnes, marking a 13.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 22.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 10 272 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 25.0%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The export market for capsicum and pimenta fruits from Lebanon showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports bottomed out in 2018 at 58 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 335 tonnes, representing a 5.8-fold difference. In 2020, exports surged by 124.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 61.6%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 159.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and Qatar together accounted for 81.6% of Lebanon's total exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in volume terms, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

The export market in value terms displayed volatility over the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's capsicum and pimenta fruits export value reached 225 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 131.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 97 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 60.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Qatar (41.9% of export value), Saudi Arabia (36.8%), and the United Arab Emirates (12.3%) were the top buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Lebanon. Together, these three markets accounted for 90.9% of Lebanon's total export value in this category.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for capsicum and pimenta fruits into Lebanon experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 308 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 3 278 tonnes, representing a 10.6-fold difference. In 2020, import volume surged by 438.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 86.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria dominated Lebanon's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in volume terms, accounting for 90.4% of total imports.

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

Import values for capsicum and pimenta fruits into Lebanon showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 493 thousand US dollars, while the highest was reached in 2017, representing an 8.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's import value for these fruits reached 1 748 thousand US dollars, marking a 254.6% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 86.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Syria was Lebanon's main supplier of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms, accounting for 87.4% of total imports, while other trading partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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