In-shell almonds market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market size for in-shell almonds in Lebanon dropped sharply from 28 966 tons in 2018 to 9 718 tons in 2021, before stabilizing and growing to 10 624 tons by 2023. The high initial volume coincided with a period where agriculture contributed around 5% to GDP and received government technical assistance and export promotion to Middle Eastern markets.

The market volume continued to decrease through 2021. During this period, in 2020, the agri-food sector was noted as a major contributor to industrial growth, supported by government financial incentives and technical assistance. The turnaround began in 2022, and by 2023, the market size grew, coinciding with a memorandum between the Ministry of Economy and Trade and Fair Trade Lebanon to develop the agri-food sector and support local producers and cooperatives for improved business and export access.

In 2024, the broader context included a prolonged economic crisis with real GDP contracting by 6.4%, alongside government regulatory measures to strengthen food standards and investment opportunities in post-harvest infrastructure, which may influence the almond market.

Production in-shell almonds in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon ranked as the 17th largest producer of in-shell almonds globally.

Top producers of in-shell almonds, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell almonds, 2017-2020

Lebanon's in-shell almond production fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 10 844 tonnes, a 30.3% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 67.7%, with an average annual decline of 31.4%.

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

Exports in-shell almonds from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 47.3 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2020 with 506.1 tonnes—a 10.7-fold difference. In 2020, exports rose by 40.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was 23.1% in 2018, while the biggest increase was 662.9% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (31.3% of export volume), the United Arab Emirates (30.5%), and Kuwait (18.6%) were the top destinations for Lebanon's in-shell almond exports, together accounting for 80.4% of total flows.

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 in-shell almond exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 514 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 29.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 42.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was 269 thousand US dollars in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 25.6%. The biggest increase was 47.6% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (33.1% of export value), the United Arab Emirates (29.3%), and Qatar (13.8%) contributed the most to Lebanon's in-shell almond exports by value, jointly making up 76.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell almonds to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were highly volatile during this timeframe. The peak was in 2019 at 336.7 tonnes, while the trough was in 2020 at 5.4 tonnes—a 63-fold difference. In 2020, imports fell by 98.4% compared to the prior year. The largest increase was 66.1% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the dominant source for Lebanon's in-shell almond imports, accounting for 99.5% of total volume.

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

Import values experienced significant instability. The highest point was in 2019 at 2 407 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 30 thousand US dollars—an 80-fold gap. In 2020, imports dropped sharply by 98.8% compared to 2019. The largest increase was 529.4% in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Syria dominated Lebanon's in-shell almond imports by value, holding a 99.5% share of total flows.

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

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