Overview
Lebanon is considered one of the major producers of sweet cherries in the Mediterranean region. Cherries are a native Lebanese crop. The country is doted by exceptional conditions for cherry production. Cultivated between 900 and 2000 meters at altitude, the cherries develop a distinguished flavour, colour and texture.
At the moment, there are 32 cherry farms GlobalGAP certified.
Varieties
80% of Lebanese cherries are grown in the Bekaa and include local cherry varieties Feraouni and Moukahal. Other main varieties are Benni and Ferrovia, Lapins, Noire de Meched and Sweetheart.
Production
The production area under cherries went down by 17% between 2015 and 2021 to some 4,294 ha, while the production increased by 25% to almost 33,684 tons in 2021.*
Export
Lebanon’s export of cherries (excluding sour cherries) has seen a gradual upward trend in the past 7 years. In 2015 it reached USD 2 million and in 2021 it more than doubled to reach USD 4.5 million. However, in 2022, the values showed a decrease at USD 3,9 million (962 Tons; 62% decline in 5 years).
Destinations
The main destinations for exports of cherries are UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, and Russian Federation.
Availability
* Production data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2023
** Trade data from Trade Map – International Trade Centre, 2023
