Edible brassicas market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled edible brassicas in Lebanon fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, reaching a peak of 90 232 t in 2022 before contracting to 81 915 t in 2023. A surge in imports was a key driver, particularly following the August 2020 Beirut port explosion which destroyed critical infrastructure and disrupted supply chains, forcing imports up to 12 822 t in 2022. High food price inflation, reaching 208%, and an export ban on vegetables enacted in March 2022 to preserve domestic stocks, further supported market volume that year.

Domestic production gradually declined from 82 288 t in 2018 to 77 152 t in 2023, partly due to a 40% increase in vegetable production costs in 2020 driven by the depreciation of the Lebanese pound. Dependence on imported seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, alongside the degradation of the agricultural environment from intensive chemical use, presented ongoing challenges. However, efforts to strengthen local production are evident in initiatives like the 2024 project with the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO to promote Lebanese agricultural products.

Consumer purchasing power was severely impacted by inflation and a rising poverty rate reaching 44% of the population, influencing demand patterns for staple foods including brassicas. Regulatory adjustments, such as amendments to the consumer protection law and new import requirements for processed foods, reflect attempts to stabilize the market. Despite the economic crisis, the opening of new restaurants in Beirut points to adaptation within the food service sector.

Production edible brassicas in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of edible brassicas declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 75 339 tonnes, marking a year-over-year decrease of 3.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 82 288 tonnes. That same year saw the largest increase of 3.7%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 4.8%.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point came in 2019 at 79 tonnes, while exports peaked in 2020 at 262 tonnes, representing a 3.3-fold increase. The 2020 figure marked a substantial gain of 231.7% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 58.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar formed the core export markets for edible brassicas from Lebanon. Kuwait accounted for 41.8% of exports by volume, followed by the UAE at 30.6%, and Qatar at 19.6%. Together, these three countries represented 92.0% of Lebanon's total edible brassicas exports during this period.

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

Lebanon's edible brassicas exports increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 172 thousand US dollars, showing a 46.6% gain compared to 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 83 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait consistently remained Lebanon's primary export markets by value. The UAE accounted for 43.5% of export value, Qatar for 27.4%, and Kuwait for 17.9%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 88.8% of Lebanon's total edible brassicas export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports edible brassicas to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed considerable volatility throughout the period. The lowest point occurred in 2018 at 406 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2017, showing a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon imported 6 425 tonnes of edible brassicas, representing a sharp increase of 299.1% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 94.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria dominated Lebanon's edible brassicas imports by volume, accounting for 97.8% of total imports during this period.

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 market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 437 thousand US dollars, while imports peaked in 2017, with a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's edible brassicas imports totaled 3 309 thousand US dollars, marking a steep rise of 348.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 94.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Syria effectively monopolized Lebanon's edible brassicas imports by value, capturing 98.7% of total import value.

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

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