The potato production in Akkar plains in Lebanon is at risk this year

The severe economic crisis striking the Lebanese economy and the fact that are no loans available either through the banking system or through foundations and organizations to support the farmers compound the farmers' problems.

The average price of potato seeds is between USD 900 per MT and USD 1100 per MT. The high cost of transportation, the cost of 20 L of diesel being around USD 12, is increasing the overall production cost. In this context, only a few growers will be able to grow potatoes, which implies the total crop yield will decrease by almost 50%.

For instance, Akkar plains yielded 5,000 MT of potatoes last year, covering around 30% of the overall demand for potatoes, while it is estimated to yield about 2500 MT this year. Meanwhile, due to this situation, some farmers might not grow the potato at all due to the high costs and the low purchasing power of the local market.