Syria’s citrus output holds at 146,000 tons amid climate, market pressures

SYRIA – Tartous province, Syria, has recorded annual citrus production of about 146,000 tons, according to local agriculture officials, as farmers work through climate risks and market price swings.

The province has around 9,200 hectares under citrus cultivation, with about 3.4 million trees. Citrus ranks as the second largest crop in Tartous after olives. Farmers grow orchards around Tartous city and in Safita, Dreikish, Banias, Sheikh Badr, and Qadmous.

Mohammad Ahmad, Director of Agriculture in Tartous, said oranges account for 39% of total output, lemons 37%, mandarins 16%, and grapefruit 8%. Farmers harvest early varieties such as Abu Surra and Satsuma, as well as late varieties including Valencia oranges and white grapefruit.

“We see stable production levels across most citrus types this season,” Ahmad said. “However, when supply rises during peak harvest, prices often fall, and this affects farmers’ returns.” He added that in some cases growers leave fruit unpicked when prices drop too low.

Climate and water risks

Ahmad said weather remains a major concern. “Frost affects late-season varieties, while drought lowers water levels in reservoirs,” he said. “When water becomes scarce, fruit size shrinks and juice content drops, which reduces market value.”

To limit losses, authorities distribute natural predators and fruit fly attractants to farmers at no cost. Officials say these biological control tools help cut pest damage and reduce the need for chemical sprays.

Samir Jabbour, a grower from Blata al-Gharbiya village, said farmers have managed to keep volumes steady despite infrastructure limits. “Electricity cuts and water shortages hurt us last summer, but better prices this year helped us recover part of the cost,” he said.

Extension teams continue to hold field workshops with farmers’ unions to support production and improve fruit quality. Growers, however, still face rising input costs across the season.

Syria’s citrus sector operates within a region that has seen strong export growth. In Egypt, fresh and processed agricultural exports reached US$11.5 billion in 2025, according to Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Alaa Farouk. Citrus led export volumes, with about 2 million tonnes shipped during the year.

“2025 marked an exceptional year for agricultural exports in terms of both volume and value,” Farouk said, noting that agriculture made up nearly 24% of Egypt’s total exports.

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