Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb called Tuesday on apple farmers to remain patient until new markets for their produce are found.
“Farmers are under pressure from some traders who are buying the produce for lower prices,” he explained, leaving farmers with little to no profit.
Chehayeb pointed out that climate change and the closure of Lebanon’s border with Syria have negatively impacted apple farmers in the country.
The minister also noted that Moscow’s market is highly important, but said that taxes on every ton exported are high.
He stressed that contacts will be held with Egypt to sell it the apple produce in a bid to compensate for the loss.