The cultivation of tropical fruits in Syria has emerged as a promising agricultural shift, expanding alongside traditional citrus farming in coastal regions and offering farmers new income opportunities while helping reduce reliance on imports, despite ongoing climate and market-related challenges.  These crops are mainly concentrated in Tartous and Lattakia across limited areas, often within citrus farms, greenhouses, or home gardens. Farmers report that varieties such as avocado, mango, and papaya have become valuable sources of income due to their relative scarcity and higher market prices. Tropical fruits grown locally include persimmon (kaki), avocado, dragon fruit, mango, papaya, kiwi, banana, pineapple, sapota, custard apple, and chico. Successful cultivation depends on selecting high-quality seedlings, suitable soil conditions, and efficient irrigation systems, while benefiting from relatively lower susceptibility to some plant diseases compared to traditional crops.  However, farmers highlight strong competition from imported tropical fruits, which often enter the market at lower prices and sometimes with higher quality, putting pressure on local production. They call for greater support measures, including improved agricultural guidance, better seedling varieties, access to financing, and stronger cooperative frameworks to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Market demand remains uneven, with higher consumption of common fruits like mango, banana, and kiwi, while other varieties are purchased in smaller quantities due to higher prices.  According to Ministry of Agriculture data, persimmon is the most widespread tropical crop in Syria, covering around 1,400 hectares due to its tolerance to lower temperatures, while banana cultivation spans about 250 hectares in both open and protected farming. Other tropical crops generally remain below 100 hectares and are often integrated with citrus cultivation. Officials note that some crops, particularly avocado, have shown strong adaptability to local conditions, with certain varieties now included in government nurseries to encourage wider adoption. Limited exports of crops such as avocado and dragon fruit to neighboring countries have also been recorded.  Globally, tropical fruit production continues to grow, led by countries such as India, China, and Brazil, while Mexico, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand remain key producers and exporters. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, global trade in tropical fruits exceeded $12 billion in 2025, driven by rising demand, a trend that underscores the potential for Syria to further develop this sector with adequate support and investment. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Syrian Arab News Agency