Plums and sloes market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for plums and sloes in Lebanon declined steadily from 33 305 t in 2018 to 23 073 t in 2020. This contraction was driven by deep-seated structural inefficiencies in the agricultural sector, which hindered the fair distribution of value added across the supply chain. Additionally, significant post-harvest losses, exacerbated by poor access to cold storage facilities, reduced the amount of fruit available for sale.

The market collapse accelerated in 2021, with volume dropping to 11 307 t. The enactment of Public Procurement Law No. 244/2021 introduced new transparency and regulatory requirements for government purchases, which likely disrupted the distribution and sale of agricultural produce. Despite a minor recovery to 14 381 t in 2022, volumes remained low at 11 951 t in 2023, as high inflation and ongoing economic challenges curtailed consumer purchasing power and affected demand.

Production plums and sloes in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

World map of production of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of plums and sloes has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 28 143 tonnes, marking a 2.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.2%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The export market for plums and sloes from Lebanon showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 467 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 5 995 tonnes in 2020, representing a 4.1-fold increase between these years. The 2020 volume was 43.2% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with an 8.9% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, at 185.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait were the primary destinations for Lebanon's plum and sloe exports in volume terms. Egypt accounted for 40.5% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 20.4%, and Kuwait for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 76.2% of total export 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

In 2020, Lebanon's exports of plums and sloes in value terms reached 2 306 thousand US dollars, a 24.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 19.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 854 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait were the main markets for Lebanon's plum and sloe exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia held a 25.1% share, Egypt 24.1%, and Kuwait 17.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 66.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for plums and sloes into Lebanon experienced notable volatility during these years. Imports bottomed out in 2018 at 32 tonnes, then peaked in 2019 at 3 575 tonnes, a 112-fold difference. In 2020, imports dropped to 924 tonnes, a sharp 74.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a remarkable 11,069.7% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria and Turkey were the two key sources for Lebanon's plum and sloe imports in volume terms, together accounting for 98.9% of total import 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

The value of imports for plums and sloes into Lebanon was highly volatile during this period. Imports fell to a low of 59 thousand US dollars in 2018, then rose to a high of 1 365 thousand US dollars in 2019, a 23-fold increase. In 2020, imports declined to 203 thousand US dollars, an 85.1% drop from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 2,205.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's imports of plums and sloes in value terms were heavily concentrated on Syria, which accounted for 84.3% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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