Agriculture Minister Thanks Aoun and Saade for Supporting Apple Crop Marketing

Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani expressed his gratitude and appreciation to President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun for his continuous support of the agricultural sector and his direct follow-up on marketing the Lebanese apple season and opening foreign markets to national production. He also commended the response of Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, Rodolphe Saadé, to President Aoun's request by allocating $1 million in support to facilitate the export of Lebanese apples.

He clarified that "the initiative includes providing discounts on the cost of shipping refrigerated containers via CMA CGM to several Arab ports, specifically East Port Said in Egypt, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and Tripoli, Misrata, and Benghazi in Libya, which contributes to alleviating logistical burdens on exporters and enhancing the competitiveness of Lebanese apples in foreign markets."

He affirmed that "this step falls within the roadmap set by the Ministry of Agriculture to market the apple crop for the 2026 season, aiming to export at least 100,000 tons by expanding foreign markets, activating agricultural and economic diplomacy, and developing the export, transport, and marketing system in cooperation with relevant ministries and the private sector."

He stated: "Supporting farmers does not end at the borders of production but continues until their crops reach the markets under the best conditions and at the lowest possible cost. This initiative constitutes a practical contribution to protecting the efforts of farmers, improving opportunities to market their produce, and strengthening the presence of Lebanese apples in Arab markets."

He praised the national initiative by Saadé and CMA CGM Group, considering it "an effective model of integration between the state and the private sector, confirming the role that globally leading Lebanese institutions can play in supporting productive sectors and strengthening the national economy."

He concluded by affirming that "the Ministry of Agriculture is proceeding with the implementation of the roadmap for marketing apples and other agricultural crops, in coordination with the Presidency and concerned parties," stressing that "every new market we open, and every cost we reduce, is a step toward justice for the Lebanese farmer, strengthening his resilience on his land, and consolidating agriculture as a pillar of food security and sustainable economic development."