Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar announced that a number of fruits and vegetables will not be imported into Syria during September 2025 in order "to protect local products."
The measure, issued under Decision No. 603, is based on Legislative Decree No. 60 of 1952 and its amendments, as well as Presidential Decree No. 9 of March 29, 2025. The decision also follows a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture, dated August 10, 2025.
The first article of the decision lists the products suspended from import: tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, onions, garlic, lemons, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, apples, grapes, peaches, and figs. The suspension will apply for September 2025.
Article 2 instructs that the relevant authorities be notified for implementation. Copies have been sent to the General Authority of Land and Sea Crossings, the Ministry of Agriculture, the general directorates of Economy, Industry, Domestic Trade and Consumer Protection, as well as the unions of the chambers of commerce, industry, and agriculture in Syria, and the Directorate of Foreign Trade.
"This decision is part of the policy of the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry to support local production and to offer Syrian producers the opportunity to market their crops on domestic markets," al-Shaar said.
The minister also recalled that on July 28, another decision had been taken to ban the import of several agricultural and poultry products beginning in August.
Asked about the impact on Lebanon, Ibrahim Tarshishi, president of the National Farmers' Syndicate, said the Syrian measure would not affect Lebanese agriculture. "Fruits and vegetables from Syria are already cheaper in Syria, and there is no purchasing power. We mainly export citrus fruit to the neighboring country," he said.
Source: Lorient Today
