A source of income and production challenges
Pomegranate cultivation in the town of Al-Soussa in eastern Deir Ezzor countryside constitutes a source of income for many families, amidst major obstacles related to securing agricultural supplies and covering production costs, as well as difficulties in marketing the crop and selling it in local markets.
Farmer Issa Dahim Al-Aylan explained that the pomegranate season is a source of livelihood for a large number of families, noting the crop's distinctive taste and high quality, its use in making molasses and juice, and the use of its peels for heating.
Rising costs and declining yields
Al-Aylan pointed out the challenges facing farmers, foremost among them the rising prices of fertilizers, fuels, and pesticides, which led to a decline in production. He noted that he owns 300 pomegranate trees producing about 30 tons placed in the markets.
For his part, farmer Caesar Al-Khalif stated that the town used to export pomegranates to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq. He pointed out a 50 percent decline in production due to crop damage during the war years and the spoilage of large quantities, in addition to the rising costs of production inputs.
Decline in average annual production
Farmer Mahmoud Abdul Wahab Al-Ali added that the region is known for cultivating and multiplying high-yield pomegranate mother trees. He noted that this season's production has halved compared to previous seasons, with the average production per tree dropping from 50-60 kilograms to 25-30 kilograms.
Al-Ali highlighted that the number of productive trees is estimated at about 300,000 trees. He called for exporting the crop, especially since the cost of producing one kilogram exceeds its selling price in the Al-Hal market, noting that Al-Soussa pomegranate is classified as among the best in Syria and is sorted by size and type.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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