Agricultural exports from Israel have fallen by almost a quarter on last year, with citrus among the products heavily hit.

The total value of agricultural products in the first quarter of 2009 was $381 million (£329.6m), down from $486m for the same period in 2008, according to Ari Goren of Israeli producer UMS Trade.

Citrus lines were some of the hardest hit, with turnover down to $59m in the first quarter of 2009.

The fruit sector was the country's third-largest export branch in the first quarter of 2009 with a turnover of $92m - a fall of nine per cent.

There was a decline of 21 per cent in the total turnover of agricultural export products compared to the same period in 2008.

The flower sector saw the biggest fall with a drop of 47 per cent, equating to $76m compared to $94m last year.

Vegetables and field crops fared comparatively well, with a 19 per cent fall from $200m to $185m.

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