Vegetables have become the leading category in Israel's fresh produce export offer, according to Yossi Yishai, director of the planning division of the ministry of agriculture.

He said that from 2002 to 2006, the export of vegetables from Israel grew by 250 percent, and no changes in this volume are expected for 2007. Yishai added that more farmers switched to growing vegetables, which contributed to the growth of this sector.

The potential of this sector is closely associated with four factors, said Yishai. The first is markets, notably the huge potential in eastern Europe, which registered a 10 percent rise in demand in the period for Israeli vegetables. This is followed by phytosanitary rules, with the export of vegetables subject to strict inspection.

Thirdly, Israeli farmers have ample quotas of water, which enabled them to develop the agricultural sector, especially the vegetable sector, according to Yishai.

Finally, 50 percent of the country’s 30,000 foreign farm workers are engaged in the vegetable sector. Yishai remarked that future investments in agriculture should focus on introducing mechanisation, on improving the climate control mechanisms in greenhouses, as well as improving post-harvest practices to ensure a continuous cool chain.

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