Figs market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian fig market volume expanded from 35 879 t in 2018 to a peak of 46 498 t in 2020. This growth was initially supported by abundant rainfall in the Idlib region, which led to a bumper fig crop and increased domestic production.

After 2020, the market volume contracted to 37 820 t in 2021 and stabilized around 37 700 t in 2022, followed by a slight recovery to 38 689 t in 2023. The period saw no reported specific events that directly altered the total market size.

By 2024, record high prices for dried figs emerged in northwestern Syria due to rising production and transportation costs. The fig-drying industry became a key income source in Idlib, while traders increasingly used Turkey as a conduit to export figs to European markets such as Germany.

Production figs in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Syria ranked 7th globally in fig production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of figs, 2017-2020

World map of production of figs, 2017-2020

Syria's fig production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 46 502 tons of figs, marking an 8.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 38 035 tons, when output fell by 9.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production jumping by 13.1%.

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

Exports figs from Syria

Exports in kind, t

Syria's fig export volume expanded for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 3 023 tons, showing only a slight change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 2 413 tons, which represented a sharp drop of 33.2%. However, exports rebounded in 2019, growing by 24.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary markets for Syria's fig exports, accounting for 82.3% of total shipments. Saudi Arabia led with 54.1% of exports, followed by Egypt at 19.7%, and the UAE at 8.4%.

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

After two years of growth, Syria's fig export value declined. In 2020, exports totaled 6 980 thousand US dollars, a 36.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 10 901 thousand US dollars, following a significant rise of 63.6% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia and Egypt dominated Syria's fig exports in value terms, together making up 82.5% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports figs to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's fig import volume rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 019 tons, a substantial increase of 159.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 5488.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 282.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the nearly exclusive source for Syria's fig imports, accounting for 94.4% of the total volume.

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 fig import value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 2 303 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 153.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 2021.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 176.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates accounted for 84.4% of Syria's fig imports in value terms, while the rest was spread across multiple countries with smaller individual shares.

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

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