Vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar started the period at 11 700 tons in 2018, supported by increased investment in vegetable and potato cultivation. However, it contracted to 6 295 tons by 2020 as rising global prices for agricultural products raised production costs for preserved goods.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2022, with the market jumping to 10 087 tons. This growth was primarily driven by the government's ban on exporting fresh fruits and vegetables, which increased domestic raw material availability for processors. At the same time, food price inflation reaching 208% shifted consumer behavior toward more affordable, shelf-stable options like preserved vegetables.

The market continued to expand to 11 117 tons in 2023, sustained by the ongoing export restriction and a deepening food crisis that reinforced demand for preserved foods. By 2024, the persistence of the export ban and logistical challenges maintained the focus on domestic supply, though high input prices affected the agricultural supply chain.

Production vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Lebanon was among the world's leading producers of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar from 2017 to 2020, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar, 2017-2020

World map of production of vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar, 2017-2020

Vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar production in Lebanon declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Lebanon produced 17 805 tons, marking a 3.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Lebanon's vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 28 900 thousand US dollars, down 1.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 25.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 9.4%.

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

Exports vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar export volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 11 642 tons, up 7.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 25.7%, with an average annual increase of 7.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 268 tons, which saw the largest decline of 10.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 30.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar from Lebanon were supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Saudi Arabia, Canada, and the United States—together accounted for only 49.3% of total exports in volume.

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

Vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar exports in Lebanon increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 18 896 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial year-over-year improvement of 10.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 17.9%, equating to an average annual increase of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 720 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar from Lebanon were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Saudi Arabia (31.1% of exports in value terms), the United States (9.4%), and Canada (8.7%) together accounted for only 49.2% 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 vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 132 tons, which was 91.3% less than in 2019. The peak occurred in 2019 at 1 507 tons, representing the largest increase of 212.9%. Overall, there was an 11.5-fold difference between the trough in 2020 and the peak in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Free Zones (37.1% of imports in volume), China (18.3%), and the United States (5.4%) continued to be the main suppliers of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar to Lebanon, jointly forming 60.8% of total imports in volume.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 202 thousand US dollars, corresponding to an 83.5% reduction from 2019. The peak occurred in 2019 at 1 223 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 51.4%. Overall, there was a 6.1-fold fluctuation between the trough in 2020 and the peak in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar imports into Lebanon. China (21.0% of imports in value terms), Free Zones (14.8%), and the United States (7.9%) together took only 43.7% of total imports in value terms, while many smaller partners each accounted for modest individual shares.

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

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