Olives market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

Olive production in Lebanon increased from 164.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 183.9 thousand tons in 2020, supported by widespread cultivation across the country's regions which helped maintain supply chains. During this period, local market prices rose due to tighter domestic supply, though overall output continued to grow.

The market volume fell sharply to 122.0 thousand tons in 2021 before stabilizing around 122 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, climate change contributed to the resilience of Lebanese olive varieties, allowing production to remain steady despite environmental pressures, while drought in Europe boosted global demand for olive oil, influencing regional prices.

In 2024, the ongoing war in southern Lebanon damaged olive groves and disrupted harvesting, and climatic factors such as reduced rainfall further constrained local supplies, creating significant challenges for the sector.

Production olives in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon ranked as the 13th largest producer of olives worldwide.

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

Olive production in Lebanon increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 183.9 thousand tonnes of olives, marking a controlled increase of 8.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Exports olives from Lebanon

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon exported 45 658 kg of olives, representing a steep gain of 169.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 47.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (23.4% of exports in kind), Venezuela (17.6% of exports in kind), and Kuwait (16.1% of exports in kind) consistently served as the main destinations for exports in kind, together accounting for 57.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports reached a low in 2017 and a high in 2018, varying by 3.3-fold. In 2020, foreign olive supplies from Lebanon reached 57.3 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic improvement of 117.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 78.3 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 66.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 227.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Canada (30.6% of exports in value terms), Venezuela (12.7% of exports in value terms), and Kuwait (9.2% of exports in value terms) formed the core group of markets for exports in value terms, together representing 52.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports olives to Lebanon

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and bottomed in 2019, with a 290-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, foreign olive supplies to Lebanon reached 800 kg, representing a sharp rise of 142.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 330 kg, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 98.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in kind was dominated by a single market: Syria, which accounted for 95.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's volume of olive imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 1.2 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic decline of 54.4% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 99.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 82.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Syria dominated the country structure of imports in value terms, with a share of 95.0% of total flows.

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

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