Hani: We Continue Implementing the Roadmap to Export 100,000 Tons of Apples

Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani thanked CMA CGM company for its initiative to reduce external shipping costs for Lebanese apples to several target markets, considering that "this step constitutes a practical contribution to supporting farmers and exporters, and enhancing the competitiveness of Lebanese production in foreign markets."

He affirmed that "reducing transport costs represents an essential element in the export equation, especially in light of rising production and logistics service costs," stressing that "the private sector's support of the agricultural sector at this stage contributes to turning production abundance from a marketing challenge into an economic opportunity for farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole."
In a statement, he said, "This step comes within the framework of the roadmap set by the Ministry of Agriculture to market Lebanese apples for the 2026 season, in cooperation and coordination with relevant ministries, administrations, farmers, exporters, and the private sector, aiming to export no less than 100,000 tons of apples, parallel to stimulating local consumption and improving the economic return for farmers."

He added: "The roadmap is based on a set of parallel tracks:
First – Expanding Foreign Markets: Following up on communications at the highest levels, including those conducted by His Excellency the President of the Republic with brotherly and friendly countries, and intensifying communication with relevant authorities in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, the UAE, Libya, and Qatar, to facilitate the entry of Lebanese apples, increase demand for them, and remove obstacles to export movement where possible.
Second – Activating Economic and Agricultural Diplomacy: Building on meetings held with ambassadors of Arab countries, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Trade and through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, urging importers and markets in these countries to give greater space to the Lebanese product, parallel to activating the role of Lebanese embassies abroad in promoting national agricultural products and linking exporters with importers.
Third – Direct Follow-up with Target Markets: Building on visits and communications that included Jordan and Iraq, and completing movements towards targeted Arab markets, contributing to addressing procedural and logistical obstacles and enhancing direct communication between Lebanese exporters and importers.
Fourth – Reducing Shipping Costs and Enhancing Competitiveness: Cooperating with CMA CGM to reduce the cost of shipping Lebanese apples to key markets, particularly Egypt, Libya, and Saudi Arabia via Jeddah port. This step is of particular importance, as reducing logistical costs directly reflects on the competitiveness of Lebanese apples, helping exporters reach further markets under better commercial terms.
Fifth – Stimulating the Local Market: Implementing an integrated national campaign to encourage the consumption of Lebanese apples, including organizing apple days and festivals, producing promotional materials and films, and activating media and digital campaigns via social media platforms, which strengthens the culture of choosing the national product and directly supports farms.
Sixth – Supporting Farmers and Exporters and Raising Quality: Continuing field meetings in production areas with farmers, exporters, and owners of packing and cooling centers, and working to address challenges related to energy, cooling, transport, storage, and packing. The ministry also continues agricultural guidance programs aimed at raising production quality, enhancing good agricultural practices, and complying with pesticide residue standards, traceability, and requirements of foreign markets.
Seventh – Protecting National Production: Continuing the halt on apple imports, implemented since 2026, to protect national production.

Hani stressed that "the Ministry of Agriculture continues to implement the roadmap to export 100,000 tons of apples."