Head of the Lebanese Farmers Association Antoine Howayek underlined on Tuesday during an interview with Nharkom Said TV show on LBCI that a major disaster will shape up after the Saudi decision to stop Lebanese imports.
He also confirmed that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia imports 16% of total agricultural exports, which means 50,000 tons out of 315,000 tons.”
Regarding the citrus season, he stressed that “it is an essential season as a large part of the production is mainly devoted to export, the reason why preventing Lebanese imports will lead to a catastrophe at this level, furthermore to a decline in prices and a depression.”
“There are no new markets for agricultural production, especially for citrus, so quantities will be put in the Lebanese markets, and prices will collapse accordingly,” Howayek pointed out.