Carrots and turnips market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, carrot and turnip production in Lebanon fell by more than 40% as the agricultural sector deteriorated amid an economic crisis that limited access to foreign currency for importing farm inputs. Market volume edged down to 12 527 tons as increased imports only partially offset the drop in domestic output.

The launch of the National Agricultural Strategy 2020‑2025 in 2020 helped local production recover to 9 316 tons, and market volume grew to 15 059 tons despite supply‑chain disruptions caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic. In 2021, rising consumer preference for healthy food, including organic carrots, spurred the appearance of new products and pushed market volume further to 17 219 tons.

Soaring energy prices in 2022 raised production costs, leading to another decline in local output, but market volume peaked at 24 332 tons due to record imports. By 2023, persistent inflation eroded purchasing power, slashing market volume to 13 194 tons, although production saw a modest rebound supported by the adoption of hydroponic techniques.

Production carrots and turnips in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of carrots and turnips rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 9 316 tonnes, marking a sharp year-on-year increase of 60.4%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 21.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.6%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 5 810 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest drop of 43.8%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The export market for carrots and turnips from Lebanon showed significant volatility. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic 13.3-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Lebanon exported 388 tonnes, representing a sharp rise of 555.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 49.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Qatar, and Ghana were the primary destinations for Lebanon's carrot and turnip exports in volume terms. Kuwait accounted for 49.8% of exports, Qatar for 21.1%, and Ghana for 13.6%. Together, these three markets made up 84.5% of total export flows.

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 exhibited notable volatility during this period. Export values hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with an eightfold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Lebanon exported carrots and turnips worth 97 thousand US dollars, a steep increase of 489.9% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 78.0%, while the biggest jump occurred in 2018 with a 516.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Qatar, and Ghana remained the key markets for Lebanon's carrot and turnip exports in value terms. Kuwait held a 38.3% share, Qatar 21.9%, and Ghana 16.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 76.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for carrots and turnips into Lebanon experienced noticeable fluctuations. Imports dropped to their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 6.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon imported 6 131 tonnes, a decrease of 9.5% from the previous year. The smallest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 681 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 84.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with imports surging by 152.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria dominated Lebanon's carrot and turnip imports in volume terms, accounting for 82.6% of the total. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

The import market in value terms was characterized by volatility. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon imported carrots and turnips worth 2 935 thousand US dollars, a modest increase of 6.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 882 thousand US dollars, with that year also experiencing the largest decline of 80.5%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 46.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the primary supplier of carrots and turnips to Lebanon in value terms, capturing 85.9% of total imports. The rest of the imports came from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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