Mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Lebanon's domestic market for mandarins, clementines, and citrus hybrids fluctuated, declining from 20 thousand tons in 2019 to 16.9 thousand tons in 2020. This drop was driven by an economic crisis that raised production costs and limited export opportunities, while storms in 2019 damaged part of the harvest. Farmers also began replacing citrus groves with more profitable crops like bananas and avocados, reducing overall cultivated area.

After 2020, the market recovered to 19.4 thousand tons in 2021, supported by a sharp fall in exports due to high costs and competition from countries such as Israel and Turkey. The worsening economic crisis in 2021 caused a dollar shortage, hampering imports of fertilizers and agricultural materials, which further constrained production. By 2022, market volume stabilized at 19.4 thousand tons as continued production decline was offset by further export reduction.

In 2023, the domestic market grew to 23 thousand tons, the highest level in the period, despite ongoing production decline. This increase resulted from a dramatic export contraction, which fell to less than 1 thousand tons, leaving most of the harvest available for domestic consumption.

Production mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids, 2017-2020

World map of production of mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 26 200 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 24 689 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 5.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall increased by 11.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 16.0%.

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

Exports mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's exports of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids reached 7 835 tonnes in 2020, showing a notable increase of 21.4% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume during this period was recorded in 2019 at 6 456 tonnes, which represented a decline of 12.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading destinations for Lebanon's exports of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids in volume terms. Kuwait accounted for 32.4% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 24.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 21.1%. Together, these three countries represented 78.2% of total export 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 exports of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 250 thousand US dollars, reflecting a gain of 29.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 335.4%, with an impressive average annual growth rate of 63.3%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates consistently remained the main destinations for Lebanon's exports of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids. Kuwait held a 29.7% share, Saudi Arabia 26.6%, and the United Arab Emirates 19.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 75.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports mandarins, clementines, tangelos and citrus hybrids to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Imports of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids into Lebanon showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports peaked at 257 tonnes, but by 2020 they had plummeted to just 3 tonnes, representing a dramatic year-on-year decrease of 98.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports surging by 3 483.0% compared to the previous year, resulting in an 83-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2020.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Syria dominated Lebanon's imports of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids in volume terms, accounting for 92.1% of total import flows.

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

Imports of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids into Lebanon in value terms exhibited irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 76 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 they had dropped sharply to 2 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 97.5% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with imports rising by 1 339.4% year-on-year, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 41 times between 2019 and 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the dominant supplier of mandarins, clementines, tangelos, and citrus hybrids to Lebanon in value terms, accounting for 82.0% of total imports. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

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