Chocolate and cocoa products market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period in 2018, the Syrian chocolate and cocoa products market was substantial at over 11 500 t. This occurred alongside government measures to curb prices of essential food items and stabilize the foreign exchange rate, which aimed to maintain market accessibility. However, domestic production began a sustained decline from 4 567 t that year.

From 2019 to 2023, the total market volume contracted significantly, falling to a low of 6 223 t in 2020 before partially recovering to 7 644 t by 2023. Imports fluctuated throughout this period, serving as a major supply source to offset the continuing drop in local production, which reached 2 227 t in 2023.

By 2024, rising prices for chocolate and sweets had shifted consumer behavior towards more affordable alternatives, impacting demand. Concurrently, efforts to strengthen the local industry included the return of export exhibitions after a years-long hiatus and the adoption of 14 new Syrian quality standards for the food sector.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

Syria's production of chocolate and cocoa products has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 874 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 28.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 10.5%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 4 567 tonnes, and that year also saw the largest increase of 13.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of chocolate and cocoa products production in Syria has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 5 653 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 44.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 51.8%, averaging an annual decrease of 21.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 622 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 16.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Syria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Syria

Exports in kind, t

Syria's exports of chocolate and cocoa products have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 1 052 tonnes, showing a measured rise of 8.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 56.7%, with an average annual rate of 16.2%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 603 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 60.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen—collectively accounted for 76.6% of Syria's total chocolate and cocoa products exports in volume terms.

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

In 2020, Syria's exports of chocolate and cocoa products were valued at 2 070 thousand US dollars, down by 14.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 797 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 2 425 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 34.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon were the main buyers of Syrian chocolate and cocoa products in value terms. Jordan accounted for 47.8% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 20.7%, and Lebanon for 10.2%, together making up 78.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's imports of chocolate and cocoa products have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 4 401 tonnes, a limited decrease of 5.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import volume fell by 42.6%, with an average annual decline of 16.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey was the nearly exclusive supplier of chocolate and cocoa products to Syria, holding a 98.0% share of total imports in volume terms.

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 chocolate and cocoa products have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value amounted to 7 489 thousand US dollars, down by 32.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 51.8%, averaging an annual decrease of 21.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 16 847 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 34.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated Syria's imports of chocolate and cocoa products in value terms, accounting for 95.0% of the total, making it the overwhelmingly dominant market.

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

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