Watermelons and melons market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian watermelon and melon market expanded strongly from 2018 to 2021, with production rising from 246.6 thousand tonnes to 560.2 thousand tonnes. This growth was driven by increased farmer interest in cultivating watermelons in Al-Hasakah and As-Salmiya provinces, where high yields, strong sales markets, and lower costs compared to crops like tomatoes encouraged planting. The return of expatriates further boosted seasonal sales in 2018. Cultivation popularity continued through 2019 and 2020, with planted areas exceeding plans, and expanded into new regions like Daraa's Yarmouk basin by 2021, supporting output despite rising costs.

Production and market volume fell sharply from 2022, declining to 252.2 thousand tonnes by 2023. While cultivation expanded in rural Kobani in 2022 with good returns for farmers, the sector faced mounting challenges including drought, high fuel and fertilizer prices, and migration from agricultural areas, which weighed heavily on output. By 2024, farmers adopted seedlings and modern irrigation to improve yields in desert regions, but agricultural trade encountered new phytosanitary rules from Egypt for imports and transit obstacles with Jordan affecting cross-border shipments of fruit.

Production watermelons and melons in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

Syria's production of watermelons and melons has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 467.4 K t, marking a sharp 51.0% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 119.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 29.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Syria's production of watermelons and melons has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 182.1 M $ US, showing a notable 14.8% increase versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 59%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Syria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports watermelons and melons from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 154 t and peaked in 2019 at 5 567 t, with a 36-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria's exports of watermelons and melons amounted to 3 304 t, down by 40.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 66.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 3,513.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Turkey were consistently the main destinations for Syria's exports in kind, accounting for 36.5%, 32.5%, and 24.0% of total flows, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 92.9% of all exports.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes declined to their lowest level in 2018 at 82 K $ US and peaked in 2019 at 2 852 K $ US, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 35 times. In 2020, Syria's exports of watermelons and melons amounted to 1 287 K $ US, down by 54.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 66.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3,371.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Turkey—collectively absorbed 92.9% of the total value of Syria's watermelon and melon exports.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's imports of watermelons and melons have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 10 323 t, which is 40.1% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 1,150.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 132.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the primary source for Syria's imports of watermelons and melons, consistently accounting for 97.3% of total imports in kind.

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

The data shows irregular changes, signaling a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 7.1-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Syria imported watermelons and melons worth 1 871 K $ US, up by 74.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 22.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 426.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria's dependence on Turkey was pronounced, with this market accounting for 95.6% of the total value of watermelon and melon imports.

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

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