Melons and papayas market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Syria's melon and papaya market more than doubled, rising from 252 thousand tons to 548 thousand tons. The initial growth phase was driven by a wave of farmer adoption in Al-Hasakah and Salamiyah provinces, where attractive market conditions and low relative production costs led to area expansion beyond official targets. Government backing through extension services and price stabilization measures further reinforced the upward trend.

Even as production costs climbed in 2020 owing to higher fuel and fertilizer prices, market volume continued to increase, reaching 474 thousand tons that year. A solid harvest in key growing regions and sustained consumer appetite for summer fruit pushed the market to its 2021 high of 548 thousand tons, though some areas like the Yarmouk basin faced resource constraints that limited yields.

The market then contracted sharply to 420 thousand tons in 2022 and 262 thousand tons in 2023. A 2022 ban on imports of watermelons and other crops aimed to shield local producers but arrived after the season had begun. The most severe drop occurred in 2023, when steep increases in input costs drove retail prices sharply higher, eroding consumer purchasing power and depressing demand.

Production melons and papayas in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

Syria's production of melons and papayas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 467.4 thousand tons, marking a significant 51.0% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production more than doubled, rising by 119.2% with an average annual growth rate of 29.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Syria's melons and papayas production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 182.1 million US dollars, representing a 14.8% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 59%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Syria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports melons and papayas from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 155 tons and peaked in 2019 at 5 568 tons, a 36-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria exported 3 305 tons of melons and papayas, which was a sharp 40.6% decrease from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 65.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 3,499.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Turkey were the leading destinations for Syria's melons and papayas exports by volume. Saudi Arabia accounted for 36.5% of exports, Kuwait for 32.5%, and Turkey for 24.0%, together making up 92.9% of total 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 market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 82 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 853 thousand US dollars, a peak-to-trough ratio of 35 times. In 2020, Syria exported 1 288 thousand US dollars worth of melons and papayas, a substantial 54.9% drop from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 66.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 3,360.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Turkey were the top buyers of Syrian melons and papayas by value. Saudi Arabia represented 40.6% of exports, Kuwait 31.0%, and Turkey 21.4%, collectively accounting for 92.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's imports of melons and papayas have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 10 323 tons, a dramatic 40.1% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 1,150.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 132.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey was the primary source for Syria's melons and papayas imports by volume, accounting for 97.3% of total flows.

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 showed an unstable trend over this timeframe. The lowest import value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2020 at 1 871 thousand US dollars, a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.1 times. In 2020, imports increased by 74.3% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 426.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all imports of melons and papayas to Syria in value terms came from Turkey, which held a 95.6% share of total flows.

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

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