Lebanese Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani announced that the conflict with Israel has damaged approximately 22.5% of agricultural land in Lebanon, directly impacting about 56,000 hectares and causing heavy losses to livestock. In a statement detailing the agricultural fallout, the minister outlined both the wide-ranging destruction to crops and the ongoing efforts to support affected farmers and safeguard the olive sector.
Damage to Farmland and Livestock
The escalation of military hostilities on the Lebanese-Israeli border began on October 8, 2023, with limited clashes initiated by Hezbollah in the framework of what the party called the Gaza support front, before broadening into a comprehensive Israeli aggression in September 2024 that concluded with a ceasefire agreement on November 27 of that same year, without Israeli breaches, assassinations, and strikes stopping. Soil and crop tests showed results within controlled limits, though the conflict and ongoing military occupation have prevented inspection teams from accessing several sites for fresh testing.
Olive Sector and Production Estimates
Speaking at the first Olive Festival and Exhibition in Hasbaya, Hani noted that Lebanon’s annual olive production is estimated at around 200,000 tons, with approximately 30,000 tons allocated for table olives and another 30,000 tons expected for olive oil. He highlighted that the southern governorates of Nabatieh and the South account for roughly 30% of Lebanon’s olive trees despite wartime damages. Laboratory tests on olive oil samples from Nabatieh press facilities have returned safe results with no risks to consumers.
Strategic Priorities for Recovery
To rehabilitate the sector, Hani established four core priorities: improving production quality across all stages from tree care to packaging, reinforcing the Lebanese identity of olive oil through traceable branding, boosting domestic and restaurant consumption, and strictly combating market fraud, smuggling, and mislabeled origins. According to International Olive Council data for the 2022-2023 season, per capita oil consumption stands at approximately four liters annually in Lebanon, compared with eight liters in Italy, 8.2 liters in Spain, and 10.2 liters in Greece. Hani urged to promote the presence of Lebanese olive oil on family dining tables, in restaurants, and in hotels.
During meetings with municipal unions in Hasbaya and Arqoub, officials also discussed reviving the General Directorate for Olives and Olive Oil and securing agricultural support. It remains unverified when inspection teams will gain full access to remaining restricted areas to complete environmental and agricultural assessments.
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