Walnuts market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The walnut market in Lebanon experienced significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. It expanded by 23% in 2019, reaching 7 663 t, but contracted sharply by 37% in 2020 to 4 825 t.

A recovery phase began in 2021, with market volume growing 30% to 6 288 t. Growth continued at a slower pace in 2022, rising to 6 851 t, before stabilizing near 6 756 t in 2023.

In 2024, the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture adopted the National Agriculture Strategy for 2020-2025, setting priorities for the sector, including walnut production. Concurrently, shifts in consumer behavior toward healthier nuts like walnuts were reported, influenced by growing awareness of their health benefits.

Production walnuts in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

Lebanon's walnut production reached 3 332 tonnes in 2020, marking a moderate decline of 5.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 27.5%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 214 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 30.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production rising by 9.8%.

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

Exports walnuts from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The export market for walnuts from Lebanon showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at just 3 tonnes, representing an 87.8% decline from the previous year. The following year saw a dramatic turnaround, with exports surging by 4,555.9% to reach 173 tonnes in 2020, marking a 40.3% increase from 2019. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was substantial, with exports varying by a factor of 65.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the leading destination for Lebanon's walnut exports in volume terms, accounting for 63.4% of total shipments. Turkey followed with 10.8%, and Saudi Arabia with 5.9%. Together, these three markets represented 80.1% of Lebanon's total walnut exports by volume during this period.

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

The value of Lebanon's walnut exports also exhibited significant volatility. In 2018, export value reached its lowest point at 15 thousand US dollars, declining by 90.6% from the previous year. By 2020, exports had recovered to 513 thousand US dollars, representing a 168.1% increase from 2019. The 2019 value showed the most substantial growth, rising by 1,196.7% from 2018. Overall, export values varied by a factor of 35 between the 2018 low and the 2020 high.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Syria remained Lebanon's primary market for walnut exports in value terms, accounting for 26.3% of total export value. Turkey followed with 19.3%, and Italy with 13.2%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 58.9% of Lebanon's total walnut 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 walnuts to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Lebanon's walnut imports declined significantly. In 2019, imports peaked at 4 256 tonnes, representing a 41.1% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, imports had fallen to 1 666 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 60.8% from 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 43.9%, with an average annual decline of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant source of walnut imports to Lebanon in volume terms, accounting for 50.9% of total imports. Ukraine followed with 23.1%, and Chile with 12.9%. Together, these three countries supplied 86.8% of Lebanon's walnut imports by volume during this period.

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

Lebanon's walnut imports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 666 thousand US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 61.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 66.9%, with an average annual decline of 30.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States accounted for 41.5% of Lebanon's walnut imports in value terms, making it the leading source. Ukraine followed with 36.3%, and Chile with 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 87.8% of Lebanon's total walnut import value.

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

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