Syrian apple farmers face high costs and falling production

Apple farmers in Syria are facing significant economic challenges due to declining production and rising operational costs. In the Kasab region of Latakia, production has dropped because of adverse weather conditions during the flowering stage, including heavy rains that hindered pollination and high temperatures that dried out blossoms. Additionally, farmers are struggling with an increase in pests and diseases, such as mites and apple worms, which necessitates higher spending on pesticides and fertilizers.

A major issue is the wide price gap between producers and consumers. In Kasab, medium-quality apples are sold by farmers for approximately 5,000 Syrian pounds per kilo but reach consumers at 15,000 Syrian pounds. High-quality apples follow a similar trend, selling for 10,000 Syrian pounds at the farm and 25,000 Syrian pounds in markets.

In the Zabadani and Sarnaia areas of Rif Dimashq, farmers are reporting losses driven by high costs for transport, fuel, and refrigeration. While the region expects a production of approximately 60,000 tons, including high-quality varieties like Golden apples, farmers are calling for solutions to manage surpluses and limit imports that undermine local competition. They emphasize that the rising cost of diesel and electricity is forcing many to rely on expensive cold storage to preserve their crops.