Pastry market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian pastry market began the period affected by an unstable economic and political climate, including electricity rationing that constrained production and distribution. Despite these headwinds, market volume grew to 25 174 t in 2019. A sharp contraction followed in 2020, with the market shrinking to 19 769 t.

A recovery unfolded from 2021, with market volume reaching 24 111 t that year and climbing to 26 771 t by 2023. During this rebound, the market faced significant inflationary pressure. In 2023, soaring prices for pastries were driven by higher production costs, including increased expenses for agricultural raw materials due to rising fertilizer prices.

Entering 2024, cost pressures persisted, exacerbated by an unprecedented drought that raised wheat prices and the cessation of a fuel card program affecting distribution costs. Concurrently, local market initiatives emerged, with bakeries offering pastries at carefully considered prices to attract customers and build consumer trust.

Production pastry in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in Syria experienced a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 20 900 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 18 120 tonnes, representing a 13.3% decrease from the previous year. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 29.2%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of expansion, Syria's pastry production value declined. In 2019, production reached its highest value at 58 826 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 37 473 thousand US dollars, marking a 36.3% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 32.2%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%.

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

Exports pastry from Syria

Exports in kind, t

Syria's pastry exports have increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 779 tonnes, declining by 24.9% that year. By 2020, exports had risen to 1 609 tonnes, showing a 44.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 55%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria exported pastry to a wide range of markets. The top three destinations were Former Sudan with 22.2% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia with 14.7%, and Lebanon with 11.4%. Together, these countries accounted for 48.3% of total exports, while numerous smaller markets made up the remaining 51.7%.

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

Syria's pastry export value has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports reached their minimum at 2 143 thousand US dollars, falling by 17.7% that year. By 2020, exports had increased to 3 326 thousand US dollars, up 6.5% from 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 45.8%. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 27.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Syrian pastry by value were Saudi Arabia with 12.7% of exports, the United States with 11.8%, and Former Sudan with 9.6%. However, this group's combined share was only 34.1% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified market structure with many smaller importers.

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

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

Imports pastry to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's pastry imports have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 3 257 tonnes, representing a sharp 39.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 69.6%, with an average annual decline of 32.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant source for Syria's pastry imports in kind, accounting for 98.8% of the total, making it nearly the sole supplier.

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 pastry import value has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 4 807 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 46.8% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 75%, with an average annual decline of 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the primary source for Syria's pastry imports by value, with a share of 98.3%, effectively serving as the almost exclusive supplier.

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

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