Advertise
Lebanon's Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, officially inaugurated the first Olive Festival and Exhibition in Hasbaya, a key event attended by heads of the Hasbani and Arqoub municipal unions, local officials, and a large gathering of farmers. The festival served as a vital platform to showcase olive products and address the challenges facing the sector in Southern Lebanon, particularly the economic and operational burdens resulting from ongoing regional conflicts.
Minister Hani highlighted that the Nabatieh and South Governorates account for approximately 30% of Lebanon's olive trees. Despite the damages caused by the war, he reassured stakeholders that laboratory tests from presses in Nabatieh confirm that the oil meets official Lebanese standards. Providing seasonal estimates, Hani projected Lebanon’s total olive production at 200,000 tons, with 30,000 tons designated for table olives and an expected olive oil yield of around 30,000 tons.
The Minister defined four strategic priorities for the sector's advancement. First, elevating production quality to increase the share of Extra Virgin Olive Oil by improving practices across the entire supply chain—from harvesting and transport to milling and storage. Second, strengthening the identity of Lebanese olive oil by promoting regional branding and reliable trademarks that allow consumers to trace the product's origin.
The third priority involves boosting domestic consumption. Hani noted that Lebanon's annual per capita consumption stands at 4 liters, significantly lower than Mediterranean peers like Greece (10.2 liters) and Spain (8.2 liters), according to International Olive Council data. Finally, the fourth priority focuses on combating oil smuggling and fraud through stricter market monitoring and accountability to protect both farmers and the reputation of the national product.
The event also featured a technical seminar led by expert Fouad Wansa on post-harvest practices. To further support local producers, Minister Hani distributed battery-operated agricultural tools provided by 'SEAL' to registered farmers, aiming to modernize harvesting techniques and reduce labor costs.
Source: VDL NEWS