More than 30,000 tons of fish produced in Syria, so why is it missing from markets?

In Syria’s coastal markets, fish sales appear to follow two parallel paths. The first relies on fresh local production, which reaches markets directly from the sea, while the second depends on imported chilled or frozen fish, which have become increasingly present in fish markets and restaurants.

According to field monitoring conducted by ANHA agency’s correspondents along the coast, quantities of chilled fish arriving from Turkey are reaching local markets. Fish-market owners say that a large portion of the imported supply comes from marine fish farms, and that the fish are transported in refrigerated trucks, allowing them to remain marketable for longer periods than locally caught fish.

In Baniyas, a fish-market owner, Khaled Sabra, said that the goods delivered to him are distributed daily to restaurants and markets. He noted that demand for fish has increased alongside rising prices of red meat and poultry, prompting some consumers to seek less expensive alternatives.

According to prices monitored by the agency in coastal markets, a kilogram of sardine's costs around 25,000 Syrian pounds; Malifa about 135,000 pounds; Tarikhoun 120,000; Jarawi 150,000; mullet 90,000; Palamida 45,000; Jarbidi 130,000; while Sultani, which is typically used for frying, reaches around 170,000 Syrian pounds.

By contrast, some types of fresh locally caught sea fish appear to be beyond the reach of a broad segment of consumers. According to field accounts, prices for some species have reached extremely high levels, including Faridiya, whose price is reportedly around 500,000 Syrian pounds per kilogram, and Laqs, which approaches 340,000 pounds, with prices varying according to size, season, and place of sale.

Fishermen say that the high value of some locally caught marine species is also linked to limited catches and rising fishing costs. Some quantities of fresh fish are sold directly to specific customers and traders, while, according to field reports, some of the catch is directed to markets outside Syria, including the Lebanese market.

The gap between production and consumption

Official figures provide another indication of the problem. The General Authority for Fisheries and Aquatic Life announced that Syria’s fish production from the beginning of 2026 through the end of March amounted to approximately 30,421 tons. This included 3,500 tons from marine fishing, 400 tons from marine farms, 10,500 tons from freshwater production, 21 tons from government-run farms, and 16,000 tons from privately operated freshwater farms.

Nevertheless, the authority confirmed that these quantities do not fully meet the country’s needs.

These figures differ from data published for 2024, when the authority said total production amounted to approximately 19,185 tons, including 2,787 tons of marine fish, 11,365 tons of freshwater fish, and 4,865 tons from fishing in freshwater bodies.

In other data, the authority explained that Syria’s average annual fish production ranges between 20,000 and 25,000 tons, and that the country needs a significant increase in production. It set an ambitious target of reaching approximately 225,000 tons annually by 2035.

Sector data also indicate that marine production continues to account for a limited share compared with freshwater production and aquaculture, despite Syria having a coastline extending for more than 180 kilometers.

This partly explains the disparity between the image of the coast as a rich maritime region and the limited contribution of marine fishing to total fish production.

What does the government say?

Statements from the Ministry of Agriculture and the General Authority for Fisheries indicate efforts to increase domestic production and expand fish farming, rather than relying solely on imports to address shortages in supply.

In June 2026, the authority announced measures to reduce carp mortality and called on fish farmers to market their fish before the autumn season. It also announced a temporary suspension of live-fish imports and said that any future imports would be subject to quarantine and biosecurity regulations for a period of no less than 21 days.

Between the sea and the market

Fisherman Assef says that fishing activity during this period is focused on species such as Umm Ain and Palamida. He noted that some of the fishing equipment still in use is traditional, relying on diving and spearfishing or nets, which limits the ability to increase production compared with modern fishing fleets.

Fish-market owners also believe that Syrian consumers are now facing a market divided between imported fish, which are more readily available and, in some cases, less expensive, and fresh local fish, which enjoy strong demand among certain consumers but come at higher prices.

The owner of a restaurant specializing in seafood adds that the cost of a seafood meal for a family of five can reach around $200, making this type of food an unaffordable option for a large segment of households.

Economists believe that the equation is linked to three main factors: “the available volume of marine catches, the cost of producing and marketing local fish, and the volume and channels of imports.

ANHA