Dates market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the dates market in Syria contracted sharply from 20 656 t in 2018 to 11 720 t by 2020. This decline was driven by the ongoing impact of the war, which destroyed palm oases in key producing regions like Tadmor and Deir ez-Zor, severely reducing domestic output. At the same time, imports fell as the general economic deterioration and security constraints limited trade activity. Although a tissue-culture laboratory and new packaging plants were established in 2018 to improve production and processing, they could not offset the widespread damage to the agricultural base.

Market volume began to recover from 2021 onward, reaching 15 096 t that year and climbing to 18 971 t by 2023. The rebound was primarily fueled by increased imports, facilitated by the issuance of 500 import licenses for dates from Saudi Arabia in 2022. However, the market remained heavily reliant on foreign supplies, as domestic production stayed low due to persistent security challenges and a shortage of trained labor. High inflation and eroding purchasing power, caused by the plummeting value of the Syrian pound, led to steep retail price hikes—reaching 50% ahead of Ramadan in 2022—which dampened consumer demand but did not halt the overall expansion of market volume.

By 2024, date imports rose further to 22 621 t, underscoring the continued dependence on overseas sources. Efforts to rehabilitate production zones in Tadmor and Deir ez-Zor were underway, and new initiatives emerged to market high-quality Syrian dates through electronic platforms. Nevertheless, factors such as the fuel crisis and soaring transport costs kept upward pressure on prices, while weak purchasing power constrained consumption growth.

Production dates in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Syria was among the world's leading producers of dates from 2017 to 2020, ranking 28th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Syria's dates production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Syria produced 2 859 tonnes of dates, marking a significant decrease of 19.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.7%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 4 028 tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 0.3% that year.

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

Exports dates from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria exported 90 tonnes of dates, representing an abrupt rise of 247.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 61.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 1 293.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Germany remained the leading destinations for Syria's dates exports in kind. The UAE accounted for 46.8% of exports, Lebanon for 26.2%, and Germany for 7.4%, with these three countries together representing 80.4% of total export 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 signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values fell to their lowest point in 2017 and hit their maximum in 2018, with an amplitude of 12.3 times between these years. In 2020, Syria's dates exports totalled 50 thousand US dollars, constituting a sharp rise of 133.7% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 106 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 80.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1 127.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Canada continued to be the main buyers of dates from Syria in value terms. The UAE accounted for 31.0% of exports, Lebanon for 16.3%, and Canada for 15.8%, with these three countries jointly forming 63.2% of total exports by 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 dates to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria's dates import volume amounted to 8 951 tonnes, which is 28.1% lower year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 16 694 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 105.8%.

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

In 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey dominated Syria's dates imports in kind, accounting together for 85.6% of total flows, while other destinations had smaller individual contributions.

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 bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, dates deliveries to Syria totalled 7 291 thousand US dollars, down by 28.0% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 351 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 105.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey dominated Syria's dates imports in value terms, accounting together for 82.5% of total flows, with other destinations having smaller individual contributions.

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

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