Syria Bans Olive Oil Exports Due to Forecasts of Reduced Output

The Syrian government has banned exports of olive oil following projections of 50% drop in production in the 2023/24 crop year in a bid to halt price rises, according to the Olive Oil Times.  Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous announced the ban on olive oil exports which took effect on September 01.

International Olive Oil Council (IOC) data showed Syria produced 134,000 MT of olive oil in 2022/23 and an average of 131,000 MT/year over the past five year.  The country exported 15,000 MT in 2021/22 and 24,000 MT in 2022/23.  The Ministry of Agriculture, however, confirmed that the 2023/24 crop year was expected to produce just 49,000 MT of olive oil, the report said.