Ministry of Agriculture Launches Roadmap for 2026 Apple Season Focused on Exports and Quality

The Ministry of Agriculture announced in a statement that "in light of a promising Lebanese apple season, with production estimated at around 200,000 tons—within the average annual production level in Lebanon—the ministry has developed an integrated roadmap to support the 2026 season, centered on the necessity of exporting no less than 100,000 tons, which will help dispose of the harvest, maintain market equilibrium, and protect farmers while ensuring the sustainability of this vital sector."

The ministry clarified that it "has been implementing this roadmap over recent months according to seven key pathways.

It noted that "First – opening markets and increasing exports: the ministry continues working to expand export channels, amid the openness of Gulf markets to apples and other Lebanese agricultural products. An agreement has been reached with Egyptian authorities to increase Lebanese agricultural exports from 50,000 to 100,000 tons annually, while the ministry has requested Jordanian authorities to open import doors for Lebanese apples starting from mid-October."

Second – activating agricultural diplomacy: the ministry has requested the Honorable President of the Republic to engage with leaders of major countries importing Lebanese apples, particularly Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Iraq, alongside coordinated efforts by Lebanese embassies through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to support initiatives aimed at boosting exports and facilitating the entry of Lebanese produce into target markets.

Third – direct external action: the roadmap includes visits to several targeted countries and direct meetings with agriculture ministers, traders, and importers, aiming to strengthen Lebanese apple exports and open new marketing and trade channels.

Fourth – connecting farmers to markets: the ministry is organizing meetings in agricultural regions that bring together farmers, exporters, and marketers to coordinate early on quantities, prices, sorting and packaging requirements, and export logistics, thereby enhancing marketing opportunities and reducing bottlenecks during peak season.

Fifth – mobilizing support from importing countries: the ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, is organizing a meeting with ambassadors from Arab countries importing Lebanese apples, aiming to rally support to ease their entry into these markets and expand marketing opportunities.

Sixth – launching a national campaign for Lebanese apples, which includes organizing national apple days, producing promotional materials and films, and carrying out media and digital campaigns to encourage domestic consumption and strengthen the fruit's presence in international markets.

The ministry explained that "Seventh – overseeing the value chain: the Ministry of Agriculture monitors every stage of the apple supply chain—from harvesting, sorting, packaging, and transportation to storage, cooling, export, and marketing—ensuring quality standards are maintained and Lebanese apples reach consumers under optimal conditions."

It emphasized that "this roadmap represents a complete operational framework to support the 2026 apple season, from field to market, by combining market access, agricultural diplomacy, marketing, linking product to source, and quality control across the entire value chain, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Lebanese apples and safeguarding farmers' interests."