As both Egypt and Syria continue to face significant economic challenges, their agricultural sectors are emerging as key engines for recovery—driven by renewed efforts to boost export capacity and strengthen regional trade ties.
Egypt has recently exported 27,000 tons of green beans, generating around $35 million in revenue through markets across Europe and the Arab world. This accomplishment reflects not only the strength and quality of Egypt’s agricultural products but also the success of its ongoing strategy to diversify exports and expand its global footprint.
Supporting these efforts, the Export Council for Agricultural Crops is working closely with producers and exporters to streamline operations and reinforce Egypt’s competitive edge in the international marketplace. Through targeted initiatives to enhance crop quality and reach new markets, Egypt continues to build a reputation for reliable, high-quality agricultural exports.
Syria Eyes Agricultural Recovery Through Exports to Iraq
Meanwhile, Syria is taking the initial steps toward reviving its long-stagnant agricultural export sector, following years of disruption caused by civil conflict. The Syrian Ministry of Agriculture recently announced preparations to resume exports to Iraq, a market once critical to Syrian farmers before trade halted in December 2011.
Syrian officials see agriculture as a vital sector for economic revitalization, with a renewed focus on rebuilding self-sufficiency and strengthening cross-border trade. “Syria is open to cooperation with all countries, especially neighboring ones,” said Tamam Hammoud, Assistant Minister for Plant Resources, underscoring Syria’s readiness to export agricultural products—particularly to meet Iraqi demand.
Before the conflict, agriculture played a central role in Syria’s economy, often surpassing oil in its contribution to national income. However, wheat production has since plunged from 4.8 million tons to just 800,000 tons, severely impacting food security and increasing dependency on imports.
Recent trade activity is showing promising signs of recovery. Iraqi demand for Syrian products like pomegranates, tomatoes, and grapes has increased, with 30 trucks per day reported crossing the border during the recent pomegranate season.
Barriers to Trade and Hopes for Cooperation
Despite the progress, challenges remain—particularly for Syria. Regulatory barriers, such as Iraq’s refusal to register new Syrian companies and the lack of banking channels to facilitate transactions, continue to hinder smooth trade.
Ibrahim Shalash, a member of the Syrian-Iraqi Council, emphasized these obstacles, pointing out the need for more structured support to fully revive the trading partnership.
Egypt, in contrast, continues to benefit from strong institutional support, with well-established frameworks for agricultural exports and ongoing investment in market access and crop enhancement.
The Road Ahead: Agriculture as a Catalyst for Recovery
Both Egypt and Syria are clearly demonstrating that agriculture remains a cornerstone for economic stability and regional cooperation. For Egypt, maintaining high quality and exploring new trade partnerships will be essential to sustain growth. For Syria, rebuilding agricultural capacity and resolving regulatory hurdles with partners like Iraq will be critical to restoring trade momentum.
Ultimately, as both nations lean into their agricultural potential, they not only aim to boost economic output but also to strengthen food security, rebuild regional ties, and reconnect with broader international markets.
Source: The Pinnacle Gazette
