Agricultural refrigerator opened in Bekaa

The United Company for Packing, Refrigerating, and Storing, opened an agricultural refrigerator this month in the industrial zone of Kab Elias in West Bekaa.

The refrigerator spans an area of 5,000 square meters, with a land plot measuring 12,000 m2. It has a capacity of 9,000 tons of vegetables and fruits such as apples, potatoes, grapes, pomegranates, and seasonable fruits.

Mohamad Saleh Hatoum, major shareholder and General Manager, said that some farmers have to sell their harvests immediately because they don’t have refrigeration facilities and the market does not offer such services. “The refrigerator will contribute to maintaining good prices for the fruits and vegetables, as some types could be refrigerated up to four months,” he said.

The refrigerator was built according to international standards of packaging and storing. Investment in the project exceeded $6 million including the cost of the land. It created around 15 full time jobs.

Tariffs for each ton of potatoes reach $45 per season and $3 for each box of apples during four or five months. According to Hatoum, the turnover is expected to reach $200,000 for the first year. Hatoum is a large farmer himself. The refrigerator will also serve his own products.