$40 million worth of losses in Lebanon’s agricultural sector

The Iranian-backed war, now in its second month, has led to damage affecting approximately 46,000 hectares of agricultural land, most of it concentrated in the South and Nabatieh regions, which are among Lebanon’s most prominent agricultural areas. This reflects how the crisis is centered in the heart of national agricultural production. In addition, more than three-quarters of farmers have been displaced, and high mortality rates have been recorded in livestock, particularly in beehives and fish. This raises questions about the scale of agricultural losses and the methods the Ministry is adopting to manage the production sector and meet market needs.

Following the direct impact of the 2026 war on Lebanon’s agricultural lands, particularly in the most productive regions, and the rise in vegetable and fruit prices, the Ministry of Agriculture, like other ministries, found itself confronting the challenge of preserving production capacity to meet local market needs while continuing to honor pre-war export agreements.

The approximate value of agricultural losses so far has been estimated by Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, in an interview with “Nidaa Al Watan,” at $40 million. However, a more precise assessment requires additional time. In contrast, during the 2024 war, agricultural losses were estimated at $800 million, including $120 million in damages to plastic greenhouses and destroyed crops, while the remaining losses resulted from farmers abandoning their harvests and leaving their land without picking crops, as well as abandoning poultry in farms to their fate.

According to Hani, the South accounts for 20% of the agricultural sector, particularly in the production of citrus and bananas. Notably, 70% of citrus production originates from the South, supplying both the local Lebanese market and neighboring markets, especially Syria and Jordan.

Exports and imports

Regarding agricultural exports abroad, Hani stated: “Exports are still ongoing, but at a slower pace due to the obstacles we face in supply chains. Farmers, despite the security challenges, are generally still able to access their agricultural lands and harvest citrus crops. Therefore, exports continue, especially to Syria.”

As for the import of agricultural products, Hani confirmed that

it continues normally, with vegetables being supplied from Syria and Jordan, particularly tomatoes.

Increase in production

With spring typically bringing higher productivity, Hani gave positive news on the local front, stating:

We have entered a phase of increasing production day by day. We hope that starting mid-week, we will reach a stage of self-sufficiency, especially in essential vegetable products such as tomatoes and cucumbers.

He also noted that production, aside from citrus and bananas, is proceeding normally across all regions. “In Akkar, for example, we have large production volumes, as well as in Jbeil and other regions that include extensive greenhouse farming areas.”

Poultry and meat

Regarding poultry production, there is no issue with availability in the market, as it is locally produced and quantities remain sufficient despite significant damage in the South. Prices have not increased.

As for meat, the Ministry of Agriculture has taken administrative measures. According to Hani, it has “provided facilitations and accelerated testing and quarantine procedures at the Masnaa border crossing and the port (health measures aimed at preventing the entry of diseases or pests into the country), allowing products to enter Lebanon as quickly as possible and be supplied to the market without delays caused by routine border procedures.”

The Ministry of Agriculture has also launched a response plan based on several key pillars, including direct support to farmers, protection of livestock production, ensuring the continuity of food supply chains, supporting markets, strengthening price monitoring, and intensifying coordination with relevant stakeholders to continuously assess needs.

The ministry implemented a series of urgent measures, including supporting 1,512 farmers, assisting around 2,000 families in shelters, and relocating 820 beehives to safe areas in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

Increasing supply and reducing prices

Among the measures taken last week to increase market supply and reduce prices was the provision of 2,000 tons of potatoes imported from Egypt, which were directly injected into local markets. This helped stabilize prices and limit fluctuations until potato production from Akkar begins to appear in markets in the first week of April, with sufficient local quantities expected to cover full market demand by mid-month.

Under this initiative, potatoes were made available at a price not exceeding 400,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP) per 10 kilograms (40,000 LBP per kilogram) through designated sales points and participating stores. This step aims to ease the burden on citizens and ensure access to a basic commodity of acceptable quality at a fair price during this critical period.

This initiative constitutes a temporary measure within a broader response plan aimed at supporting purchasing power, maintaining supply-demand balance, preventing exploitation, and reinforcing confidence in the local market.

Hani also pointed out that

the disruption in the agricultural sector is not limited to Lebanon. Neighboring countries such as Jordan and Syria are experiencing similar difficulties amid the ongoing regional war. For instance, the Jordanian Minister of Agriculture has halted exports, particularly tomatoes, to meet domestic market needs.

He added that even Gulf countries are facing challenges due to disruptions in supply chains from Iran, which had been providing them with large quantities of fruits and vegetables, and they are currently seeking alternatives.

In light of ongoing market monitoring, Hani concluded: “To maintain the supply of vegetables, meat, and poultry in the local market, and with Lebanon entering a productive season, markets have begun to witness a decline in vegetable prices, with expectations of further decreases next week, as increased local production helps regulate prices.”