Watermelons market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

Syria's watermelon market volume more than doubled from 196 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 426 thousand tonnes in 2021. This surge was propelled by increased farmer interest in cultivating watermelons in the Al-Hasakah and Salamiyeh regions, where high productivity and strong local demand encouraged expanded planting areas. Although production costs rose due to the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the need to purchase seeds with hard currency, output continued to climb through 2021.

After peaking in 2021, the market contracted to 344 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 207 thousand tonnes in 2023. Reports from Daraa highlighted persistent challenges for farmers, including high input costs and shortages of agricultural supplies during the harvest season. In 2024, farmers in the Kobani countryside adopted early‑variety watermelons and plastic‑tunnel cultivation, improving yields, while the watermelon season coincided with the return of expatriates to Idlib, boosting sales and grower incomes.

Production watermelons in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of watermelons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons, 2017-2020

Syria's watermelon production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 328.3 thousand tons of watermelons, which represents a 51.6% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production more than doubled, rising by 107.1% with an average annual growth rate of 27.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Watermelon production in Syria has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 121.7 million US dollars, up 19.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 47.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.8%.

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

Exports watermelons from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed volatility during the observed period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 150 tons, then surged to a peak of 4 948 tons in 2019—a 33-fold increase. In 2020, foreign watermelon supplies from Syria totaled 2 483 tons, marking a sharp decrease of 49.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 66.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 3 196.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey were the main destinations for Syria's watermelon exports in volume terms. Kuwait accounted for 33.6% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 31.0%, and Turkey for 28.3%, together making up 92.9% of total flows.

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

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Exports dropped to a minimum of 78 thousand US dollars in 2018, then climbed to a maximum of 2 334 thousand US dollars in 2019—a 30-fold shift. In 2020, Syria's watermelon exports totaled 920 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt fall of 60.6% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 66.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 2 897.9%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Turkey were the primary markets for Syria's watermelon exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia absorbed 34.6% of exports, Kuwait 31.5%, and Turkey 26.8%, together accounting for 92.9% 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 watermelons to Syria

Imports in kind, t

Syria's watermelon imports have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 10 280 tons of watermelons, equivalent to a sharp increase of 41.9% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 1 232.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 137.1%.

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

In 2017–2020, watermelons imported into Syria came mainly from Turkey, which accounted for 97.3% of total imports in volume terms.

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 market exhibited volatility during these years. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 7.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, watermelon deliveries to Syria totaled 1 862 thousand US dollars, representing a 78.4% rise year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 23.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 471.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Turkey was the almost exclusive supplier of watermelons to Syria, with a share of 95.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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