Strawberry picking in Gaza

Marwa A

5 years ago

Strawberry picking in Gaza [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Palestinian farmers began harvesting strawberries readying their first shipments of the fruit to the occupied West Bank.

“The past years have seen a significant decline in the cultivation of strawberries because of delayed export and closure of the crossings on a continuous basis and the high cost of planting,” the Ministry of Agriculture said. It added that the cultivation of one hectare costs about $2,500.

The export of strawberries from the Gaza Strip is described as “an adventure” and will prevent farmers from suffering large losses. The goods are expected to be sent to Europe from the West Bank.

Last year, Russia imported strawberries from Gaza for the first time, according to Ahmed Al-Shafey, the CEO of the Gaza Agricultural Cooperative for Producing & Marketing.

READ: It’s a sour job for Gaza’s fruit farmers