This year, as droughts ravaged Spain, Portugal and Italy, there was a wet winter that really aided Israeli farmers. This has led to record-braking numbers of carrot and potato exports from Israel.
Oren Barnea, chairman of Israel's Vegetable Growers Organization, said exports are way up from previous years: "Potato exports grew from 140,000 tons to 200,000 tons and the price for farmers rose by 10%. Meanwhile carrot exports jumped from 15,000 tons to 50,000 tons and the prices were up by 20% compared to last year.”
Russia had been Israel's largest export market for potatoes and carrots until the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but due to the war the produce was not able to arrive at its destination, the Russian ruble plummeted and importers were unable to pay in foreign currency.
Israel's vegetable industry is spread over approximately 55,000 ha, and includes a wide variety of crops in open areas and under protected conditions in green houses in all regions of the country and in all seasons, which allows continuous vegetable production throughout the year, according to the Agricultural Ministry.
Source: ynetnews.com