The grape harvest for the current season has begun in Quneitra Governorate, amid expectations of a bountiful yield of 6,135 tons, with production directed towards local marketing and processing industries.
Area and Production Details
Mohammed Al-Dawood, head of the Agricultural Affairs and Protection Department at the Quneitra Directorate of Agriculture, clarified that the area planted with grapevines reached 365 hectares, comprising approximately 279,000 trees, of which 264,000 are in the fruit-bearing stage.
Al-Dawood noted that inspection and assessment committees recorded a relative delay in the ripening and harvesting of this year's crop compared to previous seasons, due to volatile weather conditions that prevailed in the region during critical growth periods.
Market Movement and Marketing
Al-Dawood explained that marketing operations have officially begun with several main varieties, including Halawani and Baladi, in addition to small quantities of Salti and Bayadi, in line with increasing demand in the local market.
Regarding fruits classified as low quality or damaged by natural factors, he pointed out that they are directed directly to processing and household industries such as molasses and raisins, thereby ensuring additional economic returns for farmers.
Strategic Importance of Agriculture
Grapevine cultivation is considered one of the traditional and strategic crops in Quneitra Governorate, concentrated in the northern sector areas and some irrigated areas in the southern sector.
The Halawani grape plantations are distinguished by their excellence, thanks to the cold mountainous climate in winter and moderate climate in summer, as well as the fertility of the volcanic soil, which contributes to the quality of the crop.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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