Input costs such as fertilisers, transport as well as the fluctuating Syrian pound against the dollar is affecting the profits of pomegranate farmers.
This causes them to sell directly to merchants instead of on local markets in Daraa or exports to save costs and make some profit. The sharp decline in the local currency, which is about 5 000 pounds to one dollar, increases borrowing costs for the farmers.
Other input costs like baskets, cold storage and farm labour wages are all higher, eating into the profit margins of farmers.
Syria is estimated to harvest about 15 250 tons of pomegranate planted in 1 021 hectares this season.