After a good season for Lebanese apples last year, the current season is getting off to worrisome weather, anticipating concerns from Lebanese apple producers. Mr. Rudolph Elias, CEO of the exporter Agreen Organics, speaks on the challenges of the apple season in Lebanon.
"Last year we had cold weather in Lebanon, which is good for apple production, and the season was excellent in terms of quality and volumes. This year, the temperatures are higher than the seasonal average. A bad sign is that the snow fall was low and the ski stations are not yet open. If this continues, it will cause a drop in the volume of apples. We still have hopes for February as winter isn’t over yet", explains Mr. Elias.
Lebanese apples are particularly appreciated by Egyptian and Iraqi importers "We exported more than 50 containers of apples and other fruits and vegetables to these two countries". In terms of its marketing and sourcing, Agreen seeks to achieve a sustainable and satisfactory business model for all parties in the value chain, according to Mr. Elias "We use a fair-trade model, our selling prices are announced in advance to our partners and suppliers, which allows us to source the best quality in a sustainable manner for all".
"We grow part of our volumes and accompany other growers by monitoring all stages of production, to ensure that the harvests meets our standards and the requirements of our customers, as part of our organic certification" explains Mr. Elias.
At the end of 2022, the exporter was part of a delegation of Lebanese growers who visited the UAE to explore business opportunities in the country and other Arabian Gulf countries. "It was a very interesting visit. We exchanged with different buyer profiles and deepened our understanding of the market. Currently, we are following up and resolving technical issues that would allow us to start supplying to this market."
Between the hammer of global inflation, which increases production costs, and the anvil of increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, the producer says he is primarily concerned with "improving quality": "We want to stand out with quality produce, the markets will eventually balance automatically and calm down by the force of circumstance".
For more information:
Mr. Rudolph Elias
Agreen SAL
Tel: +961 9 211411
Email: info@agreen.org