Lebanese citrus growers in the Akkar District are asking the authorities in the State to assess the damage caused by the cold wave that hit the region, which will cause significant losses. Producers have also asked for a halt to the introduction of Syrian agricultural products to Lebanon and for the granting of compensations to growers in the north. The cold wave has apparently also caused damage to infrastructure.
This situation adds to the tragedy experienced by producers since the year 2011 with the start of the Syrian crisis and the closure of the borders that prevented exports by land, as explained by the President of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Hwaik. The agricultural sector has been hit hard by the halt of exports and the inability of the cargo to reach the Gulf states, taking a toll on the competitiveness of Lebanese agricultural products in foreign markets.
He pointed out that citrus growers are currently suffering especially from low prices because of the Syrian crisis. He said that the citrus export volume in 2011 reached over 100 thousand tonnes, after which it started a steady decline estimated at 58 percent, with an export volume in 2015 that stood at about 40 thousand tonnes.
Sources - annahar.com
