Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Syria showed substantial growth from 2 million tons in 2018 to 2.81 million tons in 2023. This overall expansion was driven primarily by a strong increase in domestic production, which rose from 1.6 million tons to 2.485 million tons over the period. The market experienced a significant surge in 2019, reaching 2.58 million tons, followed by a contraction in 2020.

Following the 2020 dip, the market recovered steadily through 2021 and 2022, culminating in a peak volume in 2023. Import levels fluctuated throughout the period, notably dropping by 40% in 2020 before partially recovering, but their contribution was secondary to the consistent upward trend in local output. The final years of the period solidified a market structure increasingly supported by domestic production capacity.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, Syria produced 1 969 K t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, marking an 8.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 1 600 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 2 160 K t. The most significant year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when production surged by 35.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Syria's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 999.6 M $ US, showing a substantial 11.0% improvement over the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 66.8%, translating to an 18.6% compound annual growth rate. The lowest value was in 2018 at 573.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 4.3%. Conversely, the biggest increase happened in 2019, with a 57.0% jump.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Syria

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes experienced notable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, while 2020 saw the peak, with a 7.8-fold difference between these years. Specifically, in 2020, Syria's wheat and meslin flour and cereals export volume reached 0.7 K t, representing a sharp 341.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were the primary export partners for Syria in terms of volume, together accounting for 93.7% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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, M $ US

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Syria have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 0.4 M $ US, reflecting a dramatic 437.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 993.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 121.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia remained the leading destination for Syria's exports in value terms, capturing 70.7% of total flows. The rest was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Syria

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, wheat and meslin flour and cereals import volumes into Syria declined. In 2020, imports totaled 254.2 K t, down by 39.9% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 423.1 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 33.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey consistently dominated Syria's imports in kind, accounting for 86.7% of the total. This indicates a high reliance on the Turkish market, with other countries making up the remainder.

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, M $ US

Following two years of gains, wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Syria declined. In 2020, import value amounted to 85.4 M $ US, indicating a significant 33.8% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The peak value was in 2019 at 129.0 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a 36.4% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey was the main source for wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Syria, accounting for 82.0% of total import value. Other destinations contributed a smaller portion.

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

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