Tonnes of Lebanese-grown lettuce, peaches, watermelons and apricots destined for export to Arab countries have had to wait several days at the border of Syria and Jordan as a result of the current violence engulfing Syria.
Farmers' associations fear a catastrophe for the sector and a dramatic drop in prices, according to Lebanese daily L'Orient Le Jour.
Around 250 trucks carrying over 5,000 tonnes of Lebanese fruit and vegetables worth US$5m are reported to be halted at the border.
'Since last Thursday, the fighting intensified at the border crossing and truck drivers do not dare move,' said Antoine Hoyek, president of the association of Lebanese farmers.
The produce is destined for Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but trucks first have to pass through Syria.
Only potatoes and onions are usually exported by sea since their shelf-life is sufficient to withstand the longer journey time, but two ferries are now being used to ship other produce to Egypt and Jordan up to twice a week before being trucked the rest of the journey.
Many exporters view this as insufficient, particularly during the high-demand Ramadan period, with unions threatening strike action should the government not do more to improve the situation.
Agriculture minister Hussein Hajj Hassan this week announced that a meeting with stakeholders was planned to discuss the possibility of further developing maritime transport of agricultural products.
