Okaz/ Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Monitoring conducted by Okaz on the basis of government reports, has shown that the Saudi decision to ban the import of fruits and vegetables from Lebanon has led to direct and indirect impacts. The decision will contribute to Lebanon incurring losses exceeding SR126 million, as the produce was the second-highest products being exported to Saudi Arabia after precious metals and precious stones. According to the latest statistics, Lebanese fruits exports to Saudi Arabia had registered a sharp rise in 2019, compared to previous years, as the value of exports in 2018 reached about SR65 million and in 2019 they jumped by 93.85 percent to reach SR126 million. Lettuce is considered to be the highest among fruits and vegetables exported by Lebanon to Saudi Arabia, as it reached 7,990 tons with a value of SR37.49 million, followed by 15.16 tons grapes with a value of SR30.85 million. These two products were followed by 15,840 tons oranges with a value of SR24.1 million, 9,090 tons of apples with a value of SR12.98 million, followed by the import of potatoes which occupied the fifth place with approximately 7,500 tons with a value of SR10.44 million. Tangerines (mandarins) occupied the sixth place with 4,400 tons worth SR7.28 million. Meanwhile, the import of peaches from Lebanon reached 2,240 tons with a value of SR5.29 million. The import of lemons from Lebanon reached 1,560 tons with a value of SR2.64 million, and apricot imports from Lebanon reached 634 tons with a value of SR2.17 million. Onions reached a total weight of 1,230 tons with a value of SR1.61 million, followed by grapefruits with a total weight of 1,090 tons with a value of SR1.6 million, then plums with a total weight of 144 tons worth SR1.26 million, and tomatoes with a total weight of 412 tons and a value of SR1.04 million.
