Frozen vegetables market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Syrian frozen vegetables market expanded slightly to 29 195 t, supported by a rise in domestic production. During this time, authorities introduced measures to ease agricultural exports, such as extending payment deadlines for fruit and vegetable shipments and streamlining border procedures, which contributed to higher export volumes.

From 2020 onward, the market shrank dramatically, bottoming out at 12 810 t in 2022. The decline was driven by a steep increase in exports, which reached 9 113 t in 2021, pulling a large share of production out of the domestic supply. Production levels held relatively steady, but the surge in overseas sales left less available for local consumption.

A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume climbing to 18 384 t as exports dropped to 2 757 t. In 2024, the government allowed the import of second‑hand agricultural machinery and rolled out a national agricultural strategy for 2026–2030, emphasizing sustainable farming and improved export logistics.

Production frozen vegetables in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Syria produced 21 637 tons of frozen vegetables, which represents a 26.1% decrease from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 30.1%, translating to an average annual decrease of 11.2%. The only year that saw growth was 2019, with a modest increase of 2.2%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Syria

Exports in kind, t

Syria's exports of frozen vegetables have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 1 179 tons, showing a dramatic surge of 179.9% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by an impressive 1 374.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 145.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading destinations for Syria's frozen vegetable exports in volume terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 65.6% of exports, Turkey for 9.6%, and the UAE for 7.3%. Together, these three markets made up 82.5% 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

Syria's frozen vegetable exports have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export earnings amounted to 709.2 thousand US dollars, marking a 49.8% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value of exports grew by 629.1%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 93.9%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar were the primary markets for Syria's frozen vegetable exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia represented 50.8% of export value, Turkey 20.7%, and Qatar 7.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.2% of total export 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 to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The import market for frozen vegetables in Syria showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 59-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 94 tons, a sharp decline of 71.1% from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 324 tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, at 4 198.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and Iran dominated Syria's frozen vegetable imports in volume, together accounting for 88.4% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among various other markets.

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 frozen vegetable import market experienced considerable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The value of imports varied by a factor of 4.6, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2019. In 2020, import spending was 75.3 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 61.5% compared to the previous year. The peak import value was 195.6 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest annual increase was 122.9% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Iran, and Lebanon were the main sources of frozen vegetable imports to Syria in value terms, together making up 89.4% of total import value.

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

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