Milk market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Syria's milk market volume grew from 1 810 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 173 thousand tons in 2020, a rise supported by government price stabilization measures that improved consumer access. The subsequent decline to 2 070 thousand tons in 2021 was driven by higher feed costs and the introduction of additional taxes on traders, which squeezed producer margins and reduced local output, compounded by a shortage of sheep's milk.

Market volume dipped further to 2 045 thousand tons in 2022 after a temporary ban on imports of some dairy products during Ramadan curtailed supplies. In 2023, despite record price hikes due to soaring fuel and feed expenses, along with supply chain disruptions following the earthquake in Turkey and northern Syria, domestic production increased, lifting the market volume slightly to 2 080 thousand tons. For 2024, a major Qatari investment project was announced, aiming to establish large-scale milk production facilities in the country.

Production milk in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Syria's milk production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 154 K t of milk, representing a significant 20.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 772 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.4%.

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

Exports milk from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Syria exported 128 t of milk in 2020, marking a sharp 80.1% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 11 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 57.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 537.5%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was substantial, with a 11.5-fold amplitude.

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

During 2017-2020, two markets dominated Syria's milk exports in kind: the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Together, they accounted for 86.1% of total export flows, while the remaining 13.9% was distributed among various 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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, Syria's milk export value reached 138 K $ US, showing a 12.1% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 19 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 67.7%. Meanwhile, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 538.7%. The peak in 2020 was 7.2 times higher than the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia consistently represented 81.7% of Syria's total milk exports in value terms. This indicates a high degree of market concentration, with the remaining 18.3% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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 to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's milk imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 19 635 t, a slight decrease of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 38.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 15.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 37 494 t, which also saw the largest increase of 17.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 46.9%.

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

The country composition of Syria's milk imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was quite dispersed. Turkey (13.2%), New Zealand (10.3%), and Iran (9.3%) together accounted for only 32.9% of total import flows. The remaining 67.1% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

Syria's milk imports declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled 80 964 K $ US, representing a moderate 4.4% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 12.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 80 964 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 17.0%. Meanwhile, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 21.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria's milk imports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The United Arab Emirates (19.9%), Iran (16.4%), and New Zealand (12.6%) together captured only 48.9% of total import flows, with the remaining 51.1% spread across various other markets.

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

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