Spinach market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh spinach market in Lebanon experienced a substantial contraction from 2018 to 2020. Market volume fell from 2 716 t to 1 812 t, while its value dropped from $7.9 million to $5.0 million over these two years.

A clear recovery took place in 2021 and 2022, with market volume rising to 2 261 t and value reaching $7.5 million. This upward trend reversed in 2023, as volume declined to 2 001 t and value fell to $6.0 million.

Moving into 2024, key factors began influencing the market landscape. A noticeable shift in Lebanese consumer preferences toward fresh vegetables and away from red meat supported demand for spinach. Concurrently, a severe economic downturn and high inflation pressured consumer purchasing power. Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture launched a sector development plan focusing on plant-based food security and public-private partnerships, which could affect future production and distribution.

Production spinach in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with a 2.9-fold increase. In 2020, Lebanon produced 1 839 tons of spinach, marking a 9.7% decline compared to the previous year. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 597 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.6% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 194.1% surge.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The value of spinach production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing a threefold difference. In 2020, Lebanon's spinach output was valued at 5 077 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 16.8% drop from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 614 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 19.8% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 202.3% rise.

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

Exports spinach from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Lebanon's spinach exports reached 28.6 tons, showing a modest 3.2% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 54.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 29.4 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.7% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 58.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Qatar and the United Arab Emirates—played the leading roles in Lebanon's spinach exports by volume, together accounting for 86.4% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

Spinach exports from Lebanon declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Lebanon exported 79 thousand US dollars worth of spinach, indicating a 4.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 49.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 86 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 62.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were the dominant destinations for Lebanon's spinach exports in value terms, jointly taking 84.6% of total flows, while the remaining share went to other markets.

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

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

Imports spinach to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 565-fold difference. In 2020, Lebanon's spinach imports totaled 1.0 ton, down by 99.4% compared with 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 3.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all spinach imports to Lebanon by volume were associated with Syria, which accounted for 97.1% 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

Spinach imports to Lebanon declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 97.2% reduction versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 99.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 87.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of Lebanon's spinach imports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on Syria, which absorbed 96.4% 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