The new Syrian government has imposed restrictions on imports of frozen chicken, effective 15 August 2025. The authorities argue this move is necessary to ensure quality control of foreign products and to safeguard local farmers from external competition.
This decision follows the recent suspension of exports for 20 agricultural products, including broiler meat and eggs, highlighting a decisive shift in Syria’s agricultural policy.
In an interview with SANA news agency, Saeed Ibrahim, the director of Agricultural Economics and Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the government is dedicated to bolstering the poultry industry and aims to achieve greater food security. This is seen as a pivotal step towards reducing dependency on imports and supporting local farmers, who are expected to benefit from this protective measure.
The import restrictions will be reviewed monthly, allowing for swift adjustments depending on market conditions and supply-demand dynamics. As local traders shift their focus to domestic products, farmers will be encouraged to expand their operations, Ibrahim projected.
Challenges Facing the Industry
The overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 marked a significant shift in Syria’s landscape following years of civil war, which had severely impacted the poultry industry. During the height of conflict, Syria’s poultry sector was thriving, producing approximately 300,000 tonnes of poultry meat and 5 billion eggs annually, with 1.5 billion of those being exported to the Gulf.
However, structural damage during the war has left Syria reliant on imports of broiler meat and eggs. The Observatory of Economic Complexity reports that in 2023, Syria’s poultry exports were valued at a mere US$1.1 million, exclusively destined for Lebanon, while imports surged to US$31.6 million, predominantly from Turkey.
The tightening of food trade restrictions from the new Syrian government coincides with signs of a gradual recovery in food production. For nearly a decade, the industry has remained stifled by international sanctions imposed on the Assad regime; however, in May 2025, a shift occurred as former US President Donald Trump and the European Union announced the lifting of these sanctions to assist Syria in its recovery efforts.
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