Apples
get subsidy

Cabinet approves

support for farmers

The Cabinet in its meeting today (Oct 6) approved to subsidize apple farmers through providing LL5,000 ($3.3) per 20 kilogram crate. A $26 million treasury advance was decided by the High Commission for Relief for this purpose.

The subsidy will be paid directly to the farmers.

A committee from the Lebanese Army will be requested to make a survey of apple producers in all regions in cooperation with the municipalities and Qaem-Maqams under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The decision is based on a request by apple farmers due to the losses registered this season.

According to the Association of Lebanese Farmers (ALF), the apple harvest this year is estimated at 150,000 tons.

Antoine Howayek, Chairman of ALF, said: “Apple farmers witnessed difficulties in marketing their crops this year. This decreased the price to less than LL200 per kilogram, whereas the cost to produce each kilo is LL375.”

Apple farmers requested LL7,500 ($5) subsidy for each crate as equivalent to the cost. Naim Khalil, Chairman of the Syndicate of the Importers and Exporters of Vegetables and Fruits in Lebanon, said that the syndicate requested compensation for the destroyed apple crops.

Exports of apples reached 56,000 tons last year, according to Customs. The largest amount was exported to Egypt.