With the start of the citrus harvest season in Latakia, marketing concerns dominate farmers' fears due to the limited capacity of internal markets to absorb the crop, prompting farmers to demand the opening of export doors, as this agriculture constitutes the primary source of livelihood for thousands of families in the governorate.
Ammar Nasser, head of the Agricultural Affairs and Protection Department at the Latakia Agriculture Directorate, stated in an interview with SANA correspondent on Tuesday that this year's season is good compared to last year, with preliminary production estimates reaching approximately 639,000 tons, compared to 415,000 tons last year, distributed over an area of 30,000 hectares planted with 9.5 million trees.
For his part, Ahmed Makhlouf, head of the Hal Market Committee in Latakia, noted that this year's season is better in production than the previous one, but prices remain low and do not benefit farmers, considering that the solution lies in opening export markets. Makhlouf pointed out that the import ban protects local produce, but in seasons with good production, such as citrus, additional marketing channels are required. He clarified that the market received approximately 1,300 tons during the first ten days of harvesting, with quantities expected to rise to about 500 tons daily at the peak of the season.
Farmer Muhammad Othman from the village of Astamo indicated that production costs are high, and current prices barely cover costs without a profit margin, with most prices below 40 pounds. He explained that product quality determines the price; good quality products command relatively better prices, while medium-quality products see lower prices. Citrus trader Omar Hamdan stated that citrus prices vary by variety and quality: Satsuma ranges between 30 and 60 pounds, premium Nabeel reaches about 100 pounds, Abu Sura ranges between 30 and 60 pounds, local lemon is 50 pounds, and Clementine ranges between 30 and 120 pounds.
The National Committee for Import and Export had issued a decision prohibiting the import of lemons starting from October 1, 2026, until March 31, 2027, based on the approved agricultural calendar and to protect national produce. While Latakia governorate leads Syria in citrus production, farmers await price improvements and the opening of new export markets. The biggest challenge in this year's citrus season remains how to absorb the abundant harvest and reduce production cost burdens, thereby preserving farmers' profit margins.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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