Southern and northern Lebanon in areas that are not more than 500m higher than sea level, avocado farming is experiencing a dramatic change. Every year, this acreage expands by around 200 ha and produces approximately 2,500 tonnes. The most remarkable thing is that just one person drives the expansion of a field which has existed for a long time in Lebanon but has over the years, remained in the hands of local entrepreneurs.

“Many Lebanese citrus growers have avocado trees but their average yields fall below their capacity to produce,” begins Mohamad Hijazi who is a grower, motivational, as well as the main point to contact in the nation’s avocado industry. “I began to cultivate avocados around 2000 due to the fact that at that it was a market that was more stable than that of the markets for citrus. As with all others, I was able to cultivate it based on my experiences with citrus. This was until I went through several classes offered at the University of California Riverside in 2003. I began to adapt my method in many different zones. Through improved techniques for growing along with irrigation as well as fertilization methods, I achieved nearly four times more yield from the 400 trees I planted within one year.”

Mohamad rapidly became acknowledged as an avocado cultivator with outstanding outcomes

USAID specialist

Mohamad soon became known for being an avocado farmer with outstanding results. And others began to approach Mohamad for help. A decade after, USAID prepared a statistical study on the avocado industry as well as marketing in Lebanon. Through Mohamad who was the perfect person to lead they through the Lebanese sector. The man was appointed as an expert. He travelled across the nation to collect data, and discovered that few avocado farmers can have acceptable yields. They aren’t equipped to increase productivity.

Mohamad established his first cultivation and export venture, Lebanese Avocado, in 2014. With the help of USAID and assistance, he started giving advice and technical assistance to other growers. After three years of work according to the consultant, the nation’s avocado production increased significantly due in large part to an increase in production. Farmers no longer cultivate fruit alongside citrus. They started focusing on the promising fruit.

International assistance

The USAID project came to an end in the year 2018and a number of cultivation specialists became adept at cultivating avocados in the wake of Mohammad’s death. A brand new project was announced in Akkar, located in the northern part of Lebanon and was aided by the French government as well as the Rene Moawad Foundation’s (RMF) aid to increase the amount of avocados grown. This is exactly the same similar to the south of Lebanon which was where the majority of citrus were grown, there are now increasing numbers of fruit orchards sprouting out of the ground.

In the year 2019 In 2019, the Dutch government too joined the fight through the CBI using their experience. The main focus of the project was on the ongoing project but not focusing on agriculture rather in support of supply chain as well as coaching the supply chain and linking them directly with the trader. The need to obtain the required certifications for export can be very beneficial and includes GlobalG.A.P. and BRC for packing stations . Apart from cultivation, packaging and export, the business is currently evaluating additional added value such as making avocados into Guacamole.

A warm welcome to Fruit Logistica

To make things easier Hijazi along with some 20 other growers that are GLOBALG.A.P. certified, established to form the Lebanese Avocado Cluster. The bylaws of the group state that it has one main goal: exporting the product to Europe. In the spring of this year, with the help of CBI and RMF The group were present as a result, during Fruit Logistica. There was an enormous interest in Lebanese avocados. A number of samples were then sent out to businesses interested in them, leading to the signing of some export contracts.

Fuerte leading the charge

Based on the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) information, Lebanese growers harvested 19,000 tons of avocados between 2021 and 2021. Seven hundred and seventy tons were shipped overseas. Mohamad estimates that around 30percent of this crop comes from the Fuerte variety. It is 30% Pinkerton and 20% Lamb Hass 10 percent Hass and the remaining different varieties such as Gem Hass, Reed, and Wurtz. Fuerte is the leader in harvesting and exporting calendar for November. The initial Hass avocados, which are the most sought-after variety available on the European market, are typically picked around the month of March. But, these days high-quality exports with the proper dry matter content can be attained as early as the month of either December or the beginning of January.

Around 70% of crop is Fuerte 30 percent Pinkerton and 20% Lamb Hass 10 percent Hass and the remainder of the varieties are Gem Hass, Reed, and Wurtz

The local consumption amounts to 3000 tons. However, because of the shrinking purchasing power of Lebanon and the demand for avocados, which is one of the more expensive fruit, has slowed. Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Lamb Hass are mainly destined to those in the Gulf States, although some Lamb Hass were sold in Europe this year. At present, Lamb Hass is losing out to Hass avocados in the eyes of European clients. The reason is twofold It is more challenging to mature and also, being it is a late variation (harvest in April) and it doesn’t exactly Hass have the advantage of a advantageous January-March marketing period when there is lesser supply from overseas.

Hass and Lamb Hass?

However, Hass avocado cultivation, claims Mohamad however, can be a bit difficult, particularly in relation to insects and fungi. It is necessary to use a greater number of protective products for plants than making Lamb Hass, which seems to be immune to bugs or diseases. In spite of the fact that European consumers would prefer Hass the first requirement, for sure must be that it is in compliance with GLOBALG.A.P. standards. In this regard there is a good reason why the Avocado Cluster has been running a trial that is promising of vaccine-resistant Hass which requires less plant protection chemicals and may begin harvesting in November. If this trial proves positive, Lebanese growers will undoubtedly be able to widely distribute this variety.

With exporting to Europe being the primary goal The Lebanese Avocado Cluster wants to join as many avocado farmers in this endeavor. In order to homogenize small-scale producers’ offerings, Mohamad is pitching himself as a specialist in growing practices, irrigation techniques fertilization, the protection of crops through various avenues like publishing articles about the industry and a Facebook page as well as a WhatsApp group to members.

Multiple markets

In the last season, Lebanon shipped approximately 1,000 tons of avocados into Europe. European market. They plan to double that in the coming season. Mohamad is hoping to hit 10,000 tons within the next five years. The market demand estimate for the Gulf states as 35,000 tonnes. That means markets still have ample room for expanding the area of Lebanon and increase the productivity of Lebanon.

Lebanon offers a distinct benefit and unique characteristic: in comparison to its neighbours, Israel, Egypt, and Turkey its extremely low insect and disease pressure means that its farmers use a minimum of pesticides for their plants. Although Israel’s output is significantly greater (a yield of 165,000 tonnes in 2021 according to FAO), Lebanon is getting closer. It is due partly to its high-tech components as well as due to the 40-year-old tradition. Based on Mohamad, Israel seems to focus more at the Japanese market. This offers opportunities for Lebanese avocados to be sold in Europe. In terms of price, Lebanon is somewhere between Israel and Kenya.

In addition, according to an expert, need in Lamb Hass and greenskins has lately increased dramatically in countries such as Turkey, Egypt, and particularly Morocco. “Our prospects for the future are bright. In the event that the Cluster is supported by the RMF and the RMF, is able to create the construction of a packaging facility in the southern part of Lebanon the biggest growing area – then we’re in good shape. If new growers are asking what kind of variety they should cultivate, I recommend Lamb Hass. It is a popular choice because it has the highest level of security. It’s simple to grow and even if you do not have GLOBALG.A.P. accreditation, you are able to be able to access a variety of markets that include those in the Gulf States,” Mohamad concluding.

Lebanese Avocado will be present at the next Fruit Attraction in Madrid in Hall 1 at stand 1C10.

More information is available here:

Mohamad Hijazi

Lebanese Avocado

Sidon, Lebanon

Tel: +961 354 29 27

Email: ibrahimhijazi@hijazibros.net

farah.hijazi97@hotmail.com

Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies