The Gaza Strip's vegetable exports have recorded a marked increase during 2016 and the beginning of 2017 compared to previous years, with the sector having shipped more than 20 thousand tonnes of vegetables to the West Bank and Israeli-occupied territories, in addition to a number of Arab countries.
The general director of marketing and crossings of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jalal Ismail, said that "in the past year, the sector was able to supply a number of agricultural commodities to the local markets and market the rest in foreign markets."
Ismail explained that the sector exported many vegetables, notably tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, lemons, aubergines, courgettes or cabbages. The export of certain crops focused on the European markets, especially in the case of strawberries, tomatoes or peppers, as well as basil, mint and spices.
He pointed out that strawberries are currently the most prominent export product, with 291 tonnes shipped overseas, including 61 tonnes to the European markets, adding that they expect to reach nearly 600 tonnes of strawberries in the current season.
Ismail stressed that the Ministry is permanently monitoring vegetable prices in the local markets, and that it intervenes in the event of high prices, adding that "the Ministry is working to make sure vegetables are available and affordable to all segments of society."
The cultivated acreage in the Gaza Strip amounts to 173 thousand hectares, and the agricultural production, which stands at 400 thousand tonnes, consists of over 330 thousand tonnes of vegetables and 70 thousand tonnes of fruit, including olives and citrus.
Source: felesteen.ps
