Non coniferous roundwood market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Syria's non-coniferous roundwood market volume reached 40 246 m³ in 2018, a year marked by the introduction of Forestry Law No. 6, which imposed strict penalties for unlicensed tree cutting to regulate wood exploitation. State-owned companies maintained significant control over the sector. The market then expanded by 10% to 44 385 m³ in 2019, primarily driven by a surge in imports as new players entered the wood import and trade business, increasing overall supply.

The market contracted to 40 879 m³ in 2020, an 8% decline, due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting global supply chains and limiting the availability of imported wood. This was compounded by a growing consumer shift towards engineered wood alternatives like MDF, which reduced demand for natural roundwood. International sanctions further constrained imports in 2021, causing the market volume to fall another 9.5% to 36 993 m³ as foreign trade financing became more difficult.

Sanctions continued to pressure the market in 2022, with updated licensing legislation for industrial facilities adding regulatory costs, leading to a further 3% drop to 35 831 m³. By 2023, the market stabilized at 36 127 m³, supported by the increased role of licensed trading companies, which improved financial liquidity and facilitated a slight recovery in import operations.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Syria's production of non-coniferous roundwood increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 34 427 m³, which remained relatively stable compared to the 2019 level.

Annual dynamics of production in Syria in kind, 2017-2020, m³

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Syria's non-coniferous roundwood production volume grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 22 715 K $ US, showing minimal change from the previous year.

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

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Syria

Exports in kind, m³

In 2020, the export volume stood at 1 m³, with no significant change from 2019. The largest decline and increase were both recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Syria in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner base in kind was extremely narrow, with Algeria accounting for 100.0% 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

In 2020, exports amounted to 0.7 K $ US, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. The largest decline and increase both occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria was the almost exclusive buyer of non-coniferous roundwood from Syria, taking 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Syria

Imports in kind, m³

In 2020, Syria's volume of non-coniferous roundwood imports reached 6 453 m³, marking a 36.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 103 m³, while the maximum was in 2019 at 10 102 m³. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 65.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Syria in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner base in kind was extremely narrow, with Turkey responsible for 97.7% 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

In 2020, Syria imported a total of 371.6 K $ US of non-coniferous roundwood, indicating a dramatic 48.1% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 45.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -18.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 715.6 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 33.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Turkey was the dominant market for imports in value terms, taking 85.4% of total flows, while other countries together accounted for the residual share.

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

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