Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, production of frozen vegetables in Syria contracted sharply, with output falling from 22 600 tonnes to 13 720 tonnes. This decline was driven by the prolonged impact of armed conflict on agricultural infrastructure, repeated droughts and high temperatures that reduced crop yields, and supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising costs for fertilizers and fuel, exacerbated by international sanctions and black market pricing, further squeezed producers and constrained the overall market volume.

A partial recovery emerged in 2023, as production rose to 15 325 tonnes. This turnaround coincided with government-led development initiatives, including afforestation programs and the establishment of a dedicated agricultural office in Damascus to monitor market movements and quality. Concurrently, strong export demand for Syrian vegetables from Gulf countries provided an additional outlet for production, helping to lift market size from its low point.

Policy efforts shifted toward promoting agricultural self-sufficiency, including bans on certain imports to support local farmers. However, the sector continued to face persistent challenges such as drought, high fertilizer prices on the black market, and increased transport costs linked to regional geopolitical tensions, which kept production costs elevated.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Syria ranked as the 25th largest producer of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

Syria's production volume of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Syria produced 15 294 tonnes, which represents a 31.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 38.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Syria's production volume of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 19 566 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep drop of 36.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 24.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -9.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 31 027 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.8%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Syria

Exports in kind, t

Frozen vegetable exports from Syria, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 290.3 tonnes, reflecting a significant increase of 17.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 305.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 59.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of frozen vegetables from Syria, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, were Saudi Arabia, accounting for 49.6% of exports in kind, Turkey with 22.8%, and Qatar at 10.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 83.0% of total exports in kind.

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

Syria's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Syria exported 371.4 thousand US dollars worth of these products, marking an 8.1% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 395.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 70.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of frozen vegetables from Syria, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, in value terms were Saudi Arabia at 44.3%, Turkey at 30.9%, and Qatar at 11.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 86.8% of total exports in 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 frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1 703-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria imported 0.9 tonnes of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, down by 98.6% relative to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the main source for frozen vegetables imported into Syria, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, consistently absorbing 99.3% of total imports in kind.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes dropped to a minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, a 633-fold shift. In 2020, Syria imported a total of 1.4 thousand US dollars worth of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, reflecting a sharp decrease of 97.2% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, frozen vegetables imported into Syria, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, were supplied almost exclusively by Turkey, which absorbed 98.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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