Lettuce and chicory market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Syria's lettuce and chicory market volume grew steadily from 38 302 tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 55 527 tonnes in 2021, supported by a consistent rise in domestic production over the same period.

This expansion was sharply reversed in 2022 when the market contracted to 32 492 tonnes, followed by a modest recovery to 35 989 tonnes in 2023.

Production lettuce and chicory in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

Syria's lettuce and chicory production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 56 516 tonnes, marking a significant 14.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 33.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 38 696 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.4%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 27.4%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a fivefold difference between them. In 2020, Syria's cross-border shipments of lettuce and chicory reached 1 391 tonnes, reflecting a sharp 22.9% drop compared to the previous year. The highest volume was in 2019 at 1 804 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 289.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait were the top destinations for Syria's lettuce and chicory exports in volume terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 34.5% of exports, the UAE for 30.2%, and Kuwait for 19.8%. Together, these three countries made up 84.6% 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

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest value was in 2018, while the peak was in 2019, with a 4.2-fold gap between them. In 2020, Syria's lettuce and chicory exports totaled 700 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 49.3% decrease from the previous year. The minimum was 332 thousand US dollars in 2018, and the maximum was 1 381 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 52.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 316.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates formed the core markets for Syria's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia held 36.3% of exports, Lebanon 23.3%, and the UAE 23.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 82.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 40-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Syria imported 10 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, indicating a sharp 74.0% decline year-over-year. The maximum volume was 69 tonnes in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 3,949.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Egypt were the main sources for Syria's lettuce and chicory imports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 99.2% of total import flows, with other partners contributing much smaller shares.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 67-fold difference. In 2020, Syria imported 5 thousand US dollars worth of lettuce and chicory, showing an intense 87.6% reduction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was 39 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 4,090.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Egypt was the leading supplier of lettuce and chicory to Syria in value terms, accounting for 76.8% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among many other countries.

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

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