FACTS & FIGURES

The organic sector in Lebanon has been witnessing a constant increase since the early 90s. There currently exist 331 organic farms in Lebanon covering an area of 2490 hectares (situation in October 2006).

Initiatives for the development of organic agriculture have been mostly focusing on promotion of organic production. In that sense, support has and is still being offered on a technical level, and as a subsidy to certification cost.

Organic agriculture is currently widespread in all parts of Lebanon mostly concentrated in the South. Crops are grown based on both demand and available microclimatic conditions.

The selection of variety is acquiring particular interest in production, to ensure adaptation to agricultural conditions and consumers’ taste.

Most organic inputs, including seeds, are currently imported from Europe and the USA. Efforts are currently on-going to develop local biological controls, and certified organic seeds. In parallel, contacts are being established with agri-suppliers to ensure a sufficient availability of organic inputs in the country. It is believed that availability of organic inputs and technology, and a secured market would boost organic production in Lebanon.

Cereals

483.54 ha

Root crops

20 ha

Citrus

17.61 ha

Field fodder

54 ha

Grapes

188.33 ha

Industrial crops

1576.45 ha

Wild collection

14 ha

Olives

78.79 ha

Unutilized land

22 ha

Other fruits and berries

276.7 ha

Fallow land part of crop rotation

306 ha

Permanent grassland

328 ha

Fresh Vegetables

125.14 ha

ORGANIC PROCESSING

Organic processing in Lebanon is mostly focused on production of foods typically used in the Lebanese cuisine, such as organic olive oil, oregano mix, orange blossom water, and traditional Lebanese jams and recipes. Some trendy novelties, such as organic sun-dried tomatoes, capers and pomegranate vinegar are also available.

Several women cooperatives are engaged in production of traditional foods; the first women cooperative to hold an organic certification is the Women Cooperative Association for Food Processing in Wadi El Taym – Rashaya which is engaged in the processing of high quality food as an income generating activity for women of the rural region of Wadi El Taym Rashaya. The conversion of more women cooperatives to certified organic production is encouraged since it would further enhance the quality image of their traditional production.

Organic certification of packaging and trade is also available in Lebanon. This enables export of Lebanese organic products, and also offers the possibility for small organic producers in Lebanon to purchase imported products, such as sugar, in smaller quantities.

THE MARKET

Organic products are available in Lebanon in supermarkets, health and organic shops, and in Souk El Tayeb, the farmers market in Beirut. Some organic farmers also offer the possibility of on-farm selling.

BioCoop Lubnan, established in 2001 currently regroups 160 farmers. It is the largest gathering of organic producers in Lebanon and concentrates on coordination in production and marketing activities; of which branding under the common name “Campagnia”. The BioCoop Lubnan is soon launching an e-commerce system for the purchase of fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
Healthy Basket, a program of Community Supported Agriculture was launched in 2002 by the American University of Beirut and has now developed into a responsible business that adopts a box scheme system for indoor delivery of seasonal organic products, and runs a shop in Hamra.

Export of organic products from Lebanon is mainly taking place to Dubai (UAE), and London (UK) as ready-to-eat traditional Lebanese foods. Export of fresh fruits and vegetables has very recently been re-initiated to Dubai (UAE) and Bahrain. Imported organic products are mostly sold in health and organic shops, and in some restaurants.

No restaurant in Lebanon is currently certified as organic but some, such as Pain Quotidien, Bread, Schtroumpf, Palette Café offer organic menus. Olive, a restaurant for vegetarians using certified organic ingredients had to close down after the war.

POST-WAR ASSESSMENT OF ORGANIC IN LEBANON

This report was compiled based on the results of post-war assessment studies undertaken by LibanCert s.a.r.l and World Vision Lebanon in the months of August-September 2006.

The agricultural sector in Lebanon has been in a fragile situation for many years. Not considered as a priority at a national level, public funds had been low, and reforms little. Believed to be an essential element for the improvement of the conditions of farmers, reduction of environmental contamination, and health concerns, organic agriculture is being promoted since the 1990s through different projects, mostly at the level of NGOs.

This has favored the increase in organic lands and certified production in Lebanon, the establishment of local certification bodies, and increasing awareness in organic agriculture. Following the EFTA agreement established between the EFTA states (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland) and Lebanon, Switzerland and Lebanon agreed on a bilateral technical assistance program for a period of three years.

The “Organic certification and market development of organic agriculture in Lebanon” project is part of this technical assistance program.

The war of July-August 2006 has left important damage to organic agriculture in Lebanon. The major portion of organics in Lebanon is present in the most heavily affected regions, South Lebanon and the Bekaa.

Losses were due to inaccessibility to the land, lack of irrigation, partial destruction of land, burnt crops, presence of UXOs, contamination with cluster bombs, and incapacity to prepare the land for the following production season. These losses are resulting in a drop in production, which also means reduced revenues to the farmers, throughout the year. In addition, several organic farmers in the South also have to deal with the destruction of their home of which they can not afford the reconstruction. This is at least the case of six organic farmers in Bint Jbeil, and of one farmer in Marjeyoun, all members of BioCoop Lubnan.

A post-war assessment conducted by World Vision for the farmers of BioCoop Lubnan in September revealed heavy presence of unexploded ordnance in most certified organic lands of Marjeyoun and Bint Jbeil. More than 10% of the organic lands are also contaminated with cluster bombs.

Half of the farmers find difficulty in accessing their lands because the roads between their homes and plots have been damaged. In the regions not directly hit by the war, harvest losses were due to the absence of a market. Fuel gas was rare and expensive, roads were dangerous, and the consumers not guaranteed.

The effects of the war will be sensed for at least the following 12 months. The scarcity of raw material and the incapacity to produce some seasonal foods are incurring year-long losses on producers.

Some organic farmers in the region of Bint Jbeil have completely lost their trees of stone fruits, carob, olive, castanea, apricot, as well as grapes. Animal production was also seriously affected due to the impossibility of accessing the animal stock. Damage in Marjeyoun was less serious in terms of fruit trees but some farmers have lost all their animal production. Also, estimated Dollar value of losses due to impossibility of sales was very high.

The war has also resulted in a decrease in production because farmers could not sow the land and prepare it for the following season. Consumers in Lebanon therefore faced shortage of some vegetables. Local demand for organic agriculture has momentarily dropped after the war. Logical explanations are the change in purchasing priorities and the migration of some consumers.

Farmers have lost their assets, and their source of food, and have therefore become dependent on aid. Are the farmers in the South of Lebanon ready to return to agricultural activities? Are they still interested in adopting organic farming methods? These are the challenging questions to answer nowadays.