Starches market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for starches in Syria experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 29 315 t in 2018, consumption surged by over 6 600 t to reach 35 966 t in 2019. This was followed by a sharp contraction in 2020, when the market fell to 31 696 t.

The market partially recovered in the subsequent years, growing to 33 850 t in 2021 and further to 35 842 t in 2022, nearly matching the 2019 peak. However, this upward trend reversed again in 2023, with the market volume declining to 32 042 t.

Production starches in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Syria's starch production in 2020 totaled 10,243 tonnes, marking an 18.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9,903 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 12,546 tonnes. The most significant year-over-year increase was in 2019, when production surged by 26.7%.

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

Exports starches from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited notable volatility during the observed period. Starch exports from Syria peaked in 2017 and then dropped to their lowest point in 2018, representing a 10.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 24 tonnes, a 49.1% contraction from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 15 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 90.3% drop, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, when exports jumped by 214.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon served as the primary market for Syrian starch exports, accounting for 73.6% of total exports in volume. Other destinations collectively represented a smaller portion of the export structure.

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

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Export values varied significantly, with a peak in 2017 and a low in 2018, showing a 4.2-fold difference. In 2020, starch deliveries from Syria were valued at 28,000 US dollars, which is 49.2% lower than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 20,000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 76.4% decrease, while the most notable increase was in 2019, rising by 169.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon, the Netherlands, and Germany were the principal buyers of Syrian starch in value terms. Lebanon accounted for 57.0% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 10.3% and Germany at 8.7%. Together, these three markets represented 76.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports starches to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year period of growth, starch imports into Syria declined. In 2020, imports reached 21,477 tonnes, down 8.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 23,467 tonnes. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 20.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Egypt and Turkey dominated Syria's starch imports in volume, collectively accounting for 89.6% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with smaller individual contributions.

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

After two consecutive years of increase, Syria's starch import value declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 8,616,000 US dollars, a 10.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 27.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 9,675,000 US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with import value rising by 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt and Turkey jointly accounted for 87.4% of the total value of starch imports into Syria. The remainder was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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