Garlic market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Syria's garlic market experienced a pronounced expansion phase from 2018 through 2021, during which the country held its position as the third-largest producer of garlic in the Arab world according to ITC statistics for 2017-2022. This period was marked by consistent annual growth in both domestic output and total market volume.

Production surged by over 28%, climbing from 46 460 t in 2018 to a high of 59 755 t in 2021. Correspondingly, the volume of garlic available on the domestic market grew from 46 340 t to 58 405 t. This trajectory shifted sharply in 2022, with production falling by 15.7% to 50 344 t and market volume contracting by 15.2% to 49 497 t. The decline moderated in 2023, with output easing to 48 349 t and the market volume settling at 48 427 t.

International trade played a secondary role relative to the large domestic production base. Imports saw notable fluctuations, peaking at 2 357 t in 2019 before dropping to 256 t in 2023. Exports followed a similar volatile pattern, reaching 2 463 t in 2021 and then falling to 178 t in 2023.

Production garlic in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Syria ranked 26th globally in garlic production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Syria's garlic production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 53 654 tons of garlic, marking a modest 9.2% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 15.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 46 460 tons, while the largest decline occurred in the same year, showing no change.

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

Exports garlic from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 10.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria exported 1 469 tons of garlic, representing a notable 22.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 903 tons, with the largest increase that year at 802.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey accounted for 81.1% of Syria's total garlic exports in volume, while the remaining exports were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 211 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 3 126 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 14.8-fold variation between these extremes. In 2020, Syria's garlic exports amounted to 2 631 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 15.9% contraction year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 50.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 383.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey held a dominant position in Syria's garlic exports by value, accounting for 77.9% of total flows, with the remaining share split among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports garlic to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 68-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria imported 1 195 tons of garlic, equivalent to a sharp 49.3% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 357 tons, with the largest increase that year at 2 486.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran and Turkey clearly dominated the partner structure for Syria's garlic imports in volume, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 58 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 3 413 thousand US dollars, resulting in a top-to-bottom ratio of 59 times. In 2020, Syria imported approximately 1 556 thousand US dollars worth of garlic, down by 54.4% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 5 826.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and Iran clearly dominated the partner structure for Syria's garlic imports by value, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

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