Page 46 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

Syria

2021 FAO CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT

MISSION TO THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Although much of the country is
now stable and only pockets of active Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in Syria (2019-2020)
fighting remain contained, the economic Item Value Flag Value Flag
conditions are not considered favourable. Almonds, with shell 80258 123017
Already weakened by 10 years of Apples 286564 267823
35014
39419
conflict, the economy suffered further Apricots 3053124 2245791
Barley
setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic Beans, green 34319 43851
and spill-over effects from the economic Carrots and turnips 19875 18418
crisis in Lebanon, long a lifeline of the Chick peas 52419 63589
77705
52365
Syrian economy. High inflation rates, Chillies and peppers, green 136567 182415
Cucumbers and gherkins
weakening currency and shortages of Dates 3567 2859
basic products, including fuel, prevail. Eggplants (aubergines) 154807 180002
International sanctions have generally Figs 43015 46502
affected livelihoods of millions of Syrians, Fruit, citrus nes 212265 Im 213584 Im
23693
Garlic
21988
directly or indirectly. According to the Grapes 252006 243347
World Food Programme (WFP), more Groundnuts, with shell 15284 21528
than 12.4 million people (60 percent of Lemons and limes 388484 330688
the population) were food insecure in Lentils 100653 200218
56516
49313
2020, 5.4 million more than in 2019. The Lettuce and chicory 215309 226987
Maize
food security situation has continued to Nuts nes 10569 11072
worsen in 2021. Okra 17121 18843
• Crop production: Insufficient and Olives 844316 781204
Onions, dry
78294
76700
poorly distributed rainfall in the 2020/21 Oranges 706324 502966
agricultural season, together with several Peas, green 12930 15481
heatwaves, the high cost of inputs, limited Pistachios 31813 69403
25888
Plums and sloes
26808
availability of irrigation water and high Potatoes 635519 647319
cost of fuel for pumping, resulted in a Pulses nes 4708 Im 4698 Im
contraction of the harvestable cereal Pumpkins, squash and gourds 107454 124118
area. The harvested wheat area is Seed cotton 142059 Im 90483 Im
Sesame seed
11661
4005
estimated at 787 000 hectares, slightly Sorghum 2589 893
over half of the area harvested in 2019. Soybeans 2086 6227
The harvested barley area is estimated Spices nes 4776 Im 5252 Im
7577
6443
at 352 000 hectares, about 75 percent less Sunf ower seed 771649 780617
Tomatoes
than last year as large swathes of land Walnuts, with shell 11999 Im 12011 Im
were not deemed worth to be harvested. Watermelons 216522 328325
Wheat production in 2021 is estimated at Wheat 3085097 2848472
around 1.05 million tonnes, down from Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology | Source: FAO Statistical Division 2021
2.8 million in 2020, and only one quarter
of the pre-crisis average of 4.1 million to export and a shortage of processing result in extensive destocking. Prices of
tonnes (during the period 2002-2011). factories. Unreliable supply of electricity live animals already decreased compared
At 268 000 tonnes, barley production is is also resulting in an increased food to last year, as farmers have sold part of
about 10 percent of the bumper harvests waste at the household level. their herds to gain liquidity to purchase
in 2019 and 2020. • Livestock: Livestock numbers feed and other inputs for the remaining
• Main agricultural constraints for appeared to have stabilized after an animals. Prices of dairy products and
crop production: Farmers continue initial sharp decline early in the conflict. eggs increased due mainly to high feed
and fuel costs. However, as the rate
flagging concerns about high production However, current high feed prices and of price increases is less than that of
and transportation costs as well as lack of lack of access to pasture are likely to production costs, producers are incurring
quality inputs. The agricultural machinery financial losses. Although no significant
fleet is old, with no significant investment. outbreaks of animal diseases were
Some progress has been made on the reported, animals have a weak nutritional
rehabilitation of irrigation structures, status and are generally susceptible to
although illegal and uncontrolled drilling diseases.
for groundwater over the past years is
likely to have lowered the water table. • Future trends: Farmers lack liquidity
A significant proportion of previously and access to credit, while the prices of
irrigated lands remain unwatered due to inputs are increasing. Prices of subsidized
lack of equipment, maintenance or fuel. inputs, including fuel and fertilizers,
High rates of wastage were reported in increased in 2020/21, and the provision
fruit and vegetable production, due to low of fertilizers at subsidized prices ceased
consumer purchasing power, the inability in June 2021. Seeds are likely to be
44 Arab Agriculture 2022