Avocado is considered one of the most popular fruits in Europe, ranking first in the Netherlands in 2021, according to Statistics Netherlands. The demand for this delicious and health-beneficial green fruit increases year by year, making it one of the most expensive products in the weekly market.
Agricultural Development Program in Lebanon
Lebanon is an ideal candidate for avocado cultivation due to its fertile soil, moderate climate, and vast untapped agricultural lands. Therefore, the Netherlands, as the largest importer of avocados in Europe, is looking for new source markets, and Lebanon has caught its attention. In partnership with a non-governmental organization called the Rene Moawad Foundation, the Dutch embassy is funding an agricultural development program titled “Enhancing Fruit and Vegetable Exports from Lebanon to European and Regional Markets,” which focuses on teaching farmers how to grow and export avocados, cherries, and apples.
Meeting Market Needs
According to the RMF Program Director, Imad Riachi, “It relies on working from farm to fork using what we call a market-based value chain approach. We see what the market needs and work backward, starting with the farmers, through implementing capacity-building interventions and training farmers to meet the various requirements for export and certifications.” Riachi added, “We taught them how to grow more commercially viable avocado varieties that will yield better results and sell better. We are also working on ways to conserve water and reduce pollution, as the agricultural sector in Lebanon has not received enough guidance and regulation in the past.”
Lebanon as a Potential Alternative
With the increasing demand for avocados, suppliers from Mexico and Peru are facing many challenges in meeting the orders. Here lies Lebanon’s advantage as it can cover the supply window that the other two countries cannot fulfill due to short harvesting periods. For the Dutch, Lebanon is a good alternative to Mexico and Peru and is also considered a more ethical sourcing country. In recent years, many countries stopped importing avocados from certain regions in Mexico due to their association with criminal cartels that use the lucrative fruit trade to fund illegal projects, often seizing agricultural land.
Future Challenges
Despite the existing enthusiasm, there are still many challenges to overcome. The program is currently focused on helping farmers obtain the necessary certifications and ensure product quality through laboratory testing to enable them to export their crops. Farmers are also encouraged to form cooperatives and associations to avoid being exploited by other parties seeking to take a share of their profits.
Despite the growth of the avocado industry in Lebanon in recent years, it remains uncertain whether this new project will be able to meet the increasing international demand and move beyond local consumption.
Source: https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2023/12/22/Lebanon-eyed-as-new-avocado-growing-hub
Leave a Reply