The escalation of a confrontation between Israeli soldiers and the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah could have serious implications for the fruit crop in northern Israel, both in the short and long-term.

Farmers in the northern region in Israel estimate the damages incurred to their fruit plantations already amounts to millions of shekels.

In view of the two-front confrontations in the northern region, farmers are unable to attend to their fruit plantations, especially to the deciduous summer fruit orchards, for either picking or irrigating the trees.

In addition, planting of new citrus trees can be accomplished only until the middle of next month, and if citrus growers miss the planting opportunity, as part of a country-wide expansion of citrus groves, future citrus yields are likely to be reduced.

Topics