Rural Damascus Chamber of Commerce Participates in Roundtable on Challenges of Exporting Agricultural Products

the Rural Damascus Chamber of Commerce participated in a roundtable discussion on the challenges of exporting agricultural products and proposed solutions, attended by the Minister of Agriculture, officials from trade and agricultural chamber federations, and the FAO. The Chamber’s delegation included Chairman of the Board Dr. Abdul Rahim Ziyada, Vice President Fadi Hammadi, and board members Firas Shamas, Mazen Kanineh, Anwar Al-Sheikh Qwaider, and Hassan Al-Shawa. The delegation presented the Chamber’s vision to support agricultural exports and enhance production sustainability.

Dr. Ziyada: Sustainable Agricultural Plans and Support for Small Holdings to Boost Exports

Dr. Abdul Rahim Ziyada, Chairman of the Chamber, emphasized that export-oriented agriculture is a key pillar for absorbing surplus production, stressing the need for advance planning rather than leaving agricultural output to market reactions. He noted that certain Syrian crops, such as apples, grapes, olives, cumin, and sesame, have a strong presence in international markets, urging focus on their cultivation and provision of necessary production inputs.

Ziyada explained that the Ministry of Agriculture’s plans are sustainable developmental and technical plans, distinct from private-sector strategies that seek rapid profit, asserting that sustainability is fundamental to building a competitive agricultural sector. He also stressed supporting flower cultivation by establishing regular, subsidized air freight lines to reach foreign markets, alongside the need to support small and medium holdings through agricultural financing, access to modern production tools, and enabling farmers to manage rising irrigation and energy costs. He praised the role of export companies in Rural Damascus, which export between 35 and 40 refrigerated trucks daily to Russian and European markets.

Shamas: Low Production and Lack of Laboratories Limit Syrian Products’ Competitiveness

Executive Board member Firas Shamas noted that the Syrian agricultural value chain faces significant challenges, from production to global markets. He pointed out that Syrian products—whether fresh for neighboring countries or processed for Europe and the U.S.—require major improvements in processing and packaging to enhance global competitiveness.

Shamas highlighted that the main issues involve pesticide residues, fungi, and heavy metals, in addition to the absence of accredited laboratories capable of providing precise analyses that meet international market requirements. This leads to the loss of important export opportunities, such as Aleppo pistachios, despite high demand. He added that low production is the biggest obstacle preventing Syria from entering international competition, citing the garlic sector, which includes two distinguished types, yet limited quantities hinder full benefit. He called for investment in quality, laboratories, and production to restore Syrian products’ presence in global markets.