As apricots ripen across the orchards of the Damascus countryside, producers begin making Qamar al-Din, Syria’s traditional apricot fruit leather, a seasonal product with a long history and strong demand in regional and international markets.
A Qamar al-Din producer told SANA that the process begins with harvesting and washing fresh apricots, then sterilizing and steaming them. The fruit is then pressed to extract its juice, which is mixed with sugar syrup, spread onto wooden drying trays, and left under the sun for about five days until fully dried.
Once dried, the sheets are cut into 400-gram portions. Trained workers inspect and clean each piece to remove any impurities before the product is packaged according to the requirements of different export markets.
He said the product is made from the local Kalabi apricot variety, known for its distinctive flavor and quality. He added that Qamar al-Din is valued for its natural ingredients and is traditionally consumed during the holy month of Ramadan.
The finished product undergoes engraving, cutting, and packaging before being supplied to the domestic market and exported to destinations including Egypt, the Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates, and several European countries.
Annual production in Syria—particularly in the Ghouta region near Damascus—reaches around 10,000 tons, while domestic consumption is estimated at only about 50 tons. As a result, exports play a key role in absorbing surplus production and supporting the national economy through foreign currency revenues.
He added that Syrian Qamar al-Din continues to enjoy strong demand in European, Gulf, and Egyptian markets, noting that export activity had previously been constrained by trade restrictions and sanctions.
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