Milk and cream market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for milk and cream in Syria showed considerable movement. Starting at 1 922 thousand tons in 2018, it remained near 1 920 thousand tons through 2019 before surging to 2 336 thousand tons in 2020. A subsequent correction brought the market down to 2 202 thousand tons in 2021 and 2 180 thousand tons in 2022, followed by a modest increase to 2 230 thousand tons in 2023.

The market environment became notably more challenging in 2023, as food prices soared by over 200%, severely impacting consumer purchasing power amid daily exchange rate volatility. Concurrently, the ongoing deterioration of the agricultural sector, a key input for milk production, pressured supply conditions. By 2024, these headwinds continued with further food price inflation and a reported decline in agricultural output due to scarce and costly fertilizers, alongside new government instructions affecting agricultural exports.

Production milk and cream in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Milk and cream production in Syria has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Syria produced 2 335 thousand tons of milk and cream, marking a 21.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 910 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 5.6%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 tons and peaked in 2017, with a 276-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria exported 23 tons of milk and cream, indicating a sharp rise of 2 170.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 99.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia were the leading destinations for Syria's milk and cream exports in kind. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 52.2% of exports, Lebanon for 23.5%, and Saudi Arabia for 20.7%. Together, these three countries represented 96.4% 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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.2 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 302-fold gap between these years. In 2020, foreign milk and cream supplies from Syria amounted to 24 thousand US dollars, representing a 6.7% gain relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 11 259.0%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Lebanon were the top buyers of milk and cream from Syria in value terms. The United Arab Emirates led with 54.9% of exports, followed by Qatar at 22.5%, and Lebanon at 11.2%. Their combined share reached 88.6% of total exports in 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 milk and cream to Syria

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2020 at 429 tons and peaked in 2018 at 12 593 tons, with a 29-fold difference. In 2020, milk and cream deliveries to Syria were 10.7% lower compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 96.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 43.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland formed the core group of suppliers for Syria's milk and cream imports in kind. Spain accounted for 43.5% of imports, Portugal for 24.5%, and Ireland for 22.3%. Together, these three countries represented 90.3% of total import 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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at approximately 205 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2018 at 10 558 thousand US dollars, showing a 52-fold amplitude from peak to trough. In 2020, Syria imported about 205 thousand US dollars of milk and cream, which is 31.7% less than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 97.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 46.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland were the main suppliers of milk and cream to Syria in value terms. Spain accounted for 42.7% of imports, Portugal for 29.0%, and Ireland for 21.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 93.2% of total imports in value.

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

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