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War disrupts agriculture: Israel increases imports of fruits and vegetables

The war in Israel has severely impacted local farms, leading to shortages of fresh produce and a surge in agricultural imports.

In 2024, Israel imported 227,000 tons of fruits and vegetables from 30 countries, marking a 13% increase compared to 2023.

Five items accounted for 75% of all agricultural imports:

  • Apples – 60,000 tons (+58%), mainly from Moldova, Canada, and Argentina
  • Onions – 57,000 tons (+111%), with 82% coming from the Netherlands
  • Tomatoes – 30,000 tons (-35%), due to Turkey's export ban and halted Jordanian supplies
  • Garlic – 13,000 tons (+30%), mostly from China
  • Pineapples – 10,000 tons (+64%), 90% imported from Costa Rica

At the same time, cucumber imports dropped by over 50% as Israeli farmers ramped up local production, offsetting the losses from Turkish and Jordanian suppliers.

Many of Israel's key agricultural areas, especially apple orchards in the north, have suffered due to their proximity to conflict zones. Additionally, labor shortages and difficulties in maintaining farms have worsened the crisis.

Oren Lavi, Director General of Israel's Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the country is pursuing a long-term strategy to boost domestic agricultural production by 30% over the next decade and reduce its reliance on imports.

While Israel has restored 90% self-sufficiency in tomatoes, it continues to depend on external sources for other crops. Despite ongoing challenges, the government aims to reverse this trend and strengthen food security.

Source: www.vesty.co.il