Lettuce and chicory market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh lettuce and chicory in Lebanon showed a steady expansion from around 19 000 tonnes in 2018 to over 26 000 tonnes in 2022. A notable surge occurred in 2021, when the market grew by 23% to nearly 24 000 tonnes. This acceleration coincided with record-high prices for fresh vegetables in the country, reaching USD 1.46 per kilogram, which reflected strong market conditions and likely encouraged supply.

Growth then moderated, and the market stabilized at approximately 25 700 tonnes in 2023. This plateau was influenced by the ongoing severe economic and political crisis, which eroded consumer confidence, reduced purchasing power, and altered spending patterns for fresh food items, including lettuce and chicory.

By 2024, the market environment remained challenging due to the compounded effects of high inflation, the impact of war, and continued economic instability, placing pressure on both supply and demand sides.

Production lettuce and chicory in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Lebanon's lettuce and chicory production saw growth for two years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 26,124 tonnes, marking a 2.7% increase. However, in 2020, output fell to 25,851 tonnes, representing a 1.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of lettuce and chicory production in Lebanon has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, production was valued at 28,771 thousand US dollars, down 7.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the total value decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Lebanon exported 7,670 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, a significant decrease of 20.7% compared to the prior year. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 7,463 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 9,666 tonnes in 2019, which was a 29.5% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 5.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Lebanon's lettuce and chicory exports in volume terms were Saudi Arabia, accounting for 56.3% of exports, the United Arab Emirates with 23.2%, and Kuwait at 15.7%. Together, these three countries made up 95.2% of total exports.

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 lettuce and chicory exports in value terms dropped sharply in 2020 to 8,536 thousand US dollars, a 25.5% year-on-year decrease. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 11,451 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 20.8% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the main buyers of lettuce and chicory from Lebanon in value terms, together holding an 84.1% share of total exports. The remaining portion was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's lettuce and chicory imports showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 1,046 tonnes, then jumped to a peak of 1,967 tonnes in 2019, an 88.0% increase. In 2020, imports fell to 1,267 tonnes, a sharp drop of 35.6% compared to the previous year. The difference between the 2019 peak and the 2018 low was 1.9-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the dominant source for lettuce and chicory imports to Lebanon, accounting for 71.6% of total imports in volume. The rest was sourced from other countries.

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

The value of lettuce and chicory imports to Lebanon declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 835 thousand US dollars, a drop of 44.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 59.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Syria, and Spain were the top three sources for lettuce and chicory imports to Lebanon in value terms, together making up 76.9% of total imports.

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

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