Melons market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Syria's melon market experienced a period of rapid expansion from 2018 to 2020, with the volume nearly tripling. This surge was primarily fueled by farmers in key regions like Al-Hasakah and Salamiyeh significantly expanding their cultivated areas for red and yellow melon varieties, attracted by high yields and strong local sales channels. The practice gained popularity across other provinces under suitable growing conditions, and in 2019, seasonal demand was bolstered by the return of expatriates, supporting sales at moderate prices and improving farmer incomes.

A reversal began in 2021 as production encountered mounting operational challenges. Farmers in areas like the Yarmouk basin faced sharply rising costs and resource shortages during the harvest, undermining profitability and leading to a reduced harvest. The market contraction continued through 2022 and 2023, returning to volumes close to the 2018 level. During this downturn, governmental measures aimed at facilitating agricultural exports, including melons, were discussed in 2022 to improve foreign market access, but these did not translate into a significant increase in export volumes to offset the domestic decline.

Despite the overall national decline, localized production in Al-Hasakah and Salamiyeh demonstrated resilience into 2023. Farmers there continued to adopt early-season varieties and cultivation in plastic tunnels supported by fertilizers, sustaining high productivity in these specific areas, though insufficient to counter the broader market contraction.

Production melons in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria ranked as the 29th largest producer of melons globally.

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Syria's melon production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 139.1 thousand tons of melons, marking a 49.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production surged by 154.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 36.5%.

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

Exports melons from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 209-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Syria's melon export volume reached 821.8 tons, representing a sharp 32.8% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3.9 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.8% drop, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, soaring by 15,600.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the dominant markets for exports in volume terms, together accounting for 93.2% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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 showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports varied by a factor of 120, from a trough in 2018 to a peak in 2019. In 2020, Syria exported 367.1 thousand US dollars worth of melons, reflecting a 29.2% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum value was 4.3 thousand US dollars in 2018, while the maximum was 518.5 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline was 54.5% in 2018, and the largest increase was 11,895.7% in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait served as the core markets for exports in value terms, jointly representing 93.2% of total flows, with other destinations holding relatively modest shares.

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 to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria's melon imports totaled 43.6 tons, down by 65.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 124.3 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 120.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria's melon imports were primarily oriented towards Turkey, which accounted for 96.7% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports varied by 3.4 times, from a minimum in 2020 to a maximum in 2019. In 2020, Syria's melon imports reached 8.8 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 70.2% decrease over the past year. The maximum value was 29.6 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 59.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey was the key partner for imports in value terms, accounting for 95.9% 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