DAMASCUS - The apples produced in Syria rank third on the Arab level and 32nd on the international level while they come 9th on the Asian level according to a study conducted by the National Center for Agricultural Policies at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform.
According to the Directorate of Agricultural production at the Ministry, the number of apple trees in Syria hit 15 million while their production in 2010 amounted to 360,000 tons.
Apple cultivation comes in the fifth place with regard to the planted area in Syria as it expands over 49,000 hectares.
On the Arab level, Syria is considered the first exporter regarding the volume as it exports 63,7 percent of the whole Arab exports in general.
Apple production in Syria comes 17th with regard to the international production as it reached 65, 9 million tons in 2007.
In 2007, the Syrian exports of apple reached 41,8 thousand tons with a value of SYP 867 million (1USD= 47 SYP) while in 2009 the exports hit 162,000 tons with a value of SYP 4,720 billion.
Sweida Province ranks first among the Syrian provinces in producing apples while Damascus Countryside comes second, Homs third and Lattakia fourth.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2011
