Syria shifts export strategy toward value-added products, official says

Syria's export strategy is moving away from raw materials toward value-added goods, according to Khaled Heder, director general of the Syrian Agency for Supporting and Developing Local Production and Exports. He said Iraq is the most important market for Syrian goods, followed by Jordan and Gulf countries. Heder said exports have shown a clear improvement in terms of value and quality despite economic difficulties, crediting the shift toward processing and quality. He identified olives and olive oil, cumin, anise, citrus fruits, summer fruits — particularly cherries and grapes — pistachios and medicinal herbs as the main Syrian agricultural products competitive in foreign markets. Canned goods, Levantine sweets and competitively priced textiles were also cited as key export items. The recovery, Heder said, has been supported by easier overland and maritime transport and Syria's return to traditional and neighboring markets through participation in international trade fairs. He described Gulf countries as the most important markets for fresh agricultural and food industry products, while Iraq and Jordan offer significant opportunities due to geographic proximity and overland border crossings.