Dried grapes market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian dried grape market experienced notable volatility from 2018 to 2023, starting at a volume of 9 796 t. A significant surge occurred in 2019, lifting the market to 11 739 t, driven by domestic production rising to 11 366 t. The preceding year was characterized by environmental pressures, as fluctuating water supplies, high temperatures, and humidity variations hampered grape cultivation in key growing regions like Daraa and Latakia, likely limiting output potential.

After the 2019 peak, the market contracted for two consecutive years, falling to 11 126 t in 2020 and then to 9 009 t in 2021. Production followed a similar downward path. During the 2021 season, agricultural operations emphasized disease and pest monitoring to safeguard product quality, a measure that may have helped stabilize yields within a challenging environment. A turnaround began in 2022, with the market recovering to 9 602 t and production increasing to 9 568 t.

The recovery gained pace in 2023, with market volume reaching 10 684 t and production climbing to 10 346 t. That August, authorities implemented a ban on imports of grapes and grape products to support local farmers, coinciding with reports of ample domestic supply. Simultaneously, steep price increases for grape leaves—exceeding 15 000 Syrian pounds per kilogram in Damascus—highlighted the severe inflationary pressures reshaping consumer affordability and demand within the broader grape sector.

Production dried grapes in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Syria ranked 14th globally in dried grape production volume.

Top producers of dried grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried grapes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Syria produced 10 165 tons of dried grapes, marking a 10.6% decline from 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 8 918 tons and peaked in 2019 at 11 366 tons. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with an 11.4% decrease, while the most significant growth was in 2019 with a 27.5% increase.

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

Exports dried grapes from Syria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Syria exported 67 tons of dried grapes, representing an 11.1% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 42.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 12.6%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 2.8%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 32.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Former Sudan was the primary destination for Syria's dried grape exports, accounting for 76.3% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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 period. Export values varied by a factor of 2, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2018. In 2020, Syria's dried grape exports amounted to 62 thousand US dollars, reflecting a controlled reduction of 5.2% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 72 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.8% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 95.0% surge.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Former Sudan and Egypt were the key partner countries for Syria's dried grape exports in value terms, together accounting for 81.9% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports dried grapes to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend during this period. Import volumes varied by 3.8 times, with a trough in 2017 and a peak in 2020. In 2020, Syria imported approximately 1 027 tons of dried grapes, showing a sharp rise of 137.3% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 53.9%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 245.5% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran and Turkey were the main suppliers of dried grapes to Syria, together accounting for 94.8% of total imports in kind. The rest was fragmented across other countries.

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 over this timeframe. Import values varied by 3.4 times, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2018. In 2020, Syria's dried grape imports totaled 1 657 thousand US dollars, up by 94.9% from the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 659 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 with a 48.8% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 244.5% rise.

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

Over 2017–2020, Iran and Turkey consistently accounted for 94.2% of Syria's total dried grape imports in value terms, indicating a high degree of concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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