Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — The percentage of fruit and vegetables that are imported from Lebanon is very small compared to what is imported from other countries or produced within the Kingdom, according to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA).

Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Ahmed Al-Musained, spokesman of the ministry, said that the Lebanese imports of fruit and vegetables represent only one percent of the total market share in the Kingdom.

The spokesman said that the Kingdom does not depend on a particular country for import of essential goods, including fruit and vegetables. He noted that there are many alternative markets for import of fruit and vegetables after banning import from Lebanon based on official reports.

The Kingdom recently banned the import and transit of fruit and vegetables form Lebanon after the authorities foiled a number of drug smuggling attempts, with the modus operandi being the drugs found hidden in pomegranate consignments.

Lebanon is in the fourth position in terms of orange imports into the Kingdom with 15,800 tons, while Egypt is the top country with about 280,000 tons followed by South Africa with 271,000 tons and Spain with 22,000 tons.

The imports of grapes from Lebanon amounted to about 15,000 tons while imports of grapes from Egypt amounted to 17,000 tons, 13,000 tons from India, and 10,000 tons from Turkey. Apple imports from Lebanon accounts for 9,000 tons while the import from Italy amounted to 64,000 tons.