Syrian vegetable market between economical situation and solutions for farmers and distributors

Hereby the Syrian market analysis by Ing. Bashar Al Talli, CO Manager of ECAS (East Center of Agriculture), SAIS distributor for Syria. 

The Syrian war since more than 10 years affected and changed the local market, shifting the export of vegetables from more than 65% to about 10%.

Ing. Bashar Al Talli

Therefore, volumes of seeds decreased and new trends are arising in acountry, Syria, where agriculture continues to be the main sector. The price unfortunately became a crucial point due to the economical problems and the low purchase power of the farmers.

Watermelon Surprise F1

A noticeable tendency was the arise demand of all op crops like beans, peas, radishes, turnips, with a relatively low seed investment. SAIS has proved to be a very reliable partner in the OP seed segment. A clear example is offered by watermelons in open field cultivation, where the market trend in the last seasons moved into the op varieties due to the high cost of the hybrid seeds. Here it is good to mention that SAIS Crimson Sweet AU Producer has shown great results in terms of yield, quality, adaptability to handling and shelf life.

An other noticeable tendency in the market was the rise of the oval medium size fruit segment (KGS 8-10) compared to other watermelon types, where the SAIS variety Surprise F1 in Crimson type was taking a good position in the market mainly due to uniform size, attractive colour and quality.

Talking about greenhouse sweet peppers, since the enormous drawback of the export routs due to the war, the market trend was shifted more into Lamuyo type for the local market, because of its bigger fruit size and higher productivity. Once the export routes would revive, we expect that Mannal F1 will take againt it’s rightful place as one of the leading varieties in the Syrian market, due to its high yield. Beautiful colour, resistence against diseases, fruit shape and big unigorm size which are favorable points for export.

Pepper Mannal F1

As for the open field segment, Mannal F1 continues to prove its high competency especially in the southern region of the country since it was introduced several years ago.

Concerning greenhouse eggplant, Teti F1 has been introduced in the long fruit segment, with good results especially when it is harvested before the full maturity of the fruit to match the favorable smaller size required by local consumers. Another eggplant variety that was recently tested is Ninfa F1, that corresponds to the demanded type in Syria and Middle East in general for the fruit shape, shining black colour even in warm conditions and high productivity.

Eggplant Ninfa F1

Regarding indeterminate tomatoes for greenhouse cultivation, although the market is saturated with competent varieties, we achieved very good results throught the varieties Syrio F1 and Corfù F1 thanks to their high productivity , vigour and continuity. Corfù F1, which was introduced in the Syrian market many years ago, is still having a good poisition in the Syrian market. In addition, we also receive very good feedback about the round shape and fruit syze of Syrio F1.

Tomato Corfù F1

In the end, we would like to express our appreciation of this long terms cooperation with SAIS, through which we were able to introduce high quality hybrids in to our country for many years, in addition to the efficient customer service and support.

Thanks to the SAIS’s broad variety range, including high performing op varieties that suit

e the increasing market demands, and new upstanding hybrid varieties, we maintained almost stable relationship even during the last years and continued to offer solutions to the farmers.