Prior importing license for grapes

Measure to protect the market from dumping

The Ministry of Agriculture issued a decision prohibiting traders from importing grapes without prior permission. Tony Tohme, Head of the Economy Committee at the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture of Zahleh, said: “Grape farmers called for issuing this decision exceptionally this year because the local harvest looks promising.”

The grape harvest has doubled this year because of the good weather conditions.

"Huge amounts of grapes were entering the local market recently from Syria, and this was leading to a big drop in prices,” said Tohme. The price of one kilogram of grapes decreased from LL1,200 to LL700. He said that this step could protect the market from dumping.

Tohme called on the government to enforce better control over the state’s borders to ensure that all goods are entering the local market legally.