Nasib closure incurs heavy losses on farmers who await solutions

Following the closure of the Syrian-Jordanian borders at the Nasib crossing, and the halting of land transport activity from Lebanon trough Syria, Lebanese exports particularly of agriculture products have yet to recover from the sever blow. Farmers today face a real threat in marketing their yearly produce, which will result in lower revenues for their livelihoods. Loquat farmers in the coastal Chouf area which exports nearly 60% of their production were the first to suffer, especially in the midst of the peak season. This prompted them to stop harvesting as local markets can only absorb one quarter of production. On this note, member of the Grouping of South Lebanon Farmers, Hassan Dheini, said that the impact of the crisis on agriculture is very serious compared to other exports particularly in view of high production costs, fierce competition and now the additional charges of sea shipping. He added that his will jeopardize the exports of banana, citrus and other fruits, namely to the Arab Gulf markets, were Lebanese products already are confronted to fierce competition. Dheini noted that the emerging crisis has resulted in local stockpiling and fall in prices of domestic products by over 35%. He expressed his fears that the closure of the border crossing will widen the trade deficit which currently is decreasing by USD one hundred million per month.

For his part, Chief of the Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, told Al Diyar that the prices of vegetables and fruits have been largely affected by a simultaneous increase in supply and a decrease in demand. He warned of additional losses in the period between May and November where agriculture production is at a peak particularly with the approaching potato, lettuce and cabbage seasons in Akkar in the North. He confirmed that the retail price of one kilo of lemon has dropped by 50% to LBP 500 against LBP 750-1000, before the closure of the borders. Meanwhile, Howayek noted that, tens of thousands of apple boxes are stocked in cooling houses.

While information has been circulating of a possible re-opening of Nasib border crossing in coordination with the Jordanian authorities in return for an increased and more regulated transit tariff, Howayek cautioned against mounting dangers on the borders. He noted that the situation requires a three-folded solution as follows: 1, Government to purchase four carrier vessels at the cost of USD 8 million to move trucks from the port of Beirut to Egypt free of charge and then to be later transported by sea to the ports of Saudi Arabia; 2, Agreement with a maritime shipping company to manage this new line; 3, IDAL will need to financially cover this new sea shipping route.

(Source: Al-Diyar, April 10-14, 2015)