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From Farm to Frontline: The Impact of Gaza, Lebanon war on Israel’s Crops

  Overview of Israel's Agriculture Sector

1. Total Cultivated Land:
- Approximately 29.7% of Israel's land is used for agriculture¹. The country has a mix of desert in the south and more fertile, rain-fed areas in the north.

2. Main Crops
- Fruits and Vegetables: Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.

- Field Crops: Wheat, barley, and corn.

- Flowers: Israel is a significant exporter of flowers, especially to Europe¹.

In 2022, Israel ranked 9th among the countries in the world in the value of its flower exports which totaled almost $89 million. 

The flowers grown most commonly are Chamelaucium (waxflower), followed by roses, which are grown on 250 hectares (620 acres) of land. 

In addition to flowers favored in the West such as lilies, roses, and tulips, Israel exports desert varieties. It has become a major player in the global floral industry, especially as a supplier of traditional European flowers during the winter months. Similar to floriculture around the world, Israel's flower cultivation relies heavily on introduced species.  Here these especially include Ornithogalum dubium, Leucojum aestivum and Paeonia.

3. Irrigation System:
- Israel is renowned for its advanced irrigation techniques, particularly drip irrigation, which conserves water by delivering it directly to the plant roots. This system is crucial given the country's limited water resources¹.
- The country also utilizes treated wastewater and desalinated water for irrigation¹.

Israel's Agricultural Market:
The Israel agriculture market is projected to grow by USD 2.76 billion between 2023 and 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. This growth is driven by the expansion of organized retail, facilitating better supply chain management, and substantial investments in research and development (R&D) aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity. The food processing industry also plays a significant role in transforming raw agricultural outputs into value-added products for both local consumption and export. Israel’s agricultural industry is marked by innovation, especially in irrigation and technology, contributing to its resilience and productivity in challenging environments.

The market's key segments include cereals, grains, oilseeds, and pulses, alongside major exports like olive oil and fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. However, the sector faces challenges, particularly the reduction in arable land due to urbanization and industrialization, which could limit long-term growth. Despite these challenges, advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and precision farming are expected to revolutionize agriculture in Israel, driving further market expansion during the forecast period. (12)

Impact of the Gaza War on Israel's Agriculture Sector
The ongoing conflict has significantly affected Israel's agriculture sector:

- Food Security: The war has disrupted food production and supply chains, leading to increased food prices and food insecurity⁵.

- Crop Damage: Agricultural lands near conflict zones, especially around Gaza, have suffered from direct damage due to military activities.

- Economic Strain: The war has placed additional financial burdens on farmers, with increased costs for security and reduced access to markets⁶.

The ongoing Swords of Iron war has severely impacted Israel's agriculture and food security. 

A report from Leket Israel reveals that food waste has surged, costing the economy NIS 1 billion ($275 million). Vegetable prices have jumped by 18% and fruit prices by 12%, exacerbating food insecurity across the country.

Over 150,000 tons of produce, worth NIS 670 million ($185 million), has gone to waste, due to labor shortages and disrupted farming activities, particularly in areas near the Gaza envelope and northern Israel.

Around 40% of the agricultural workforce has been lost, including Palestinian and foreign workers, contributing to increased food waste as fewer hands are available to harvest crops. 
The food waste rate in agriculture has risen from 9% to 22%. While initiatives like Leket Israel's volunteer efforts have helped reduce waste, they are temporary fixes. The crisis calls for systemic policy changes to protect Israel’s agriculture and prevent further erosion of its food security. (11)

In summary, while Israel's agriculture sector is known for its resilience and technological prowess, the current conflict is posing unprecedented challenges, with severe impacts on production, labor availability, and food prices. 

The sector’s recovery will require robust and creative governmental support.

Source: 
(1) Agriculture in Israel - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Israel.
(2) The war is harming Israel’s food security and agriculture. https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/the-war-is-harming-israel-s-food-security-and-agriculture/ar-AA1qZMPv.
(3) War raging around Israel’s farmlands puts agricultural future ... - PBS. https://bing.com/search?q=Gaza+war+impact+Israel%27s+agriculture+sector.
(4) Israeli economy struggles under weight of Gaza war. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/09/israeli-economy-struggles-under-weight-gaza-war.
(5) Israeli AgTech: Driving innovation to feed the world sustainably. https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/israeli-agtech-driving-innovation-to-feed-the-world-sustainably/.
(6) The Role of Agriculture in Israel’s Economy: An In-depth Analysis. https://israelnationalnews.org/2024/45.
(7) Agriculture in Israel - Wikiwand. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Agriculture_in_Israel.
(8) Israel’s permanent war on the Palestinians means permanent war on the working class at home. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/09/15/gjmi-s15.html.
(9) How Israel destroyed Gaza's ability to feed itself - Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2024/7/2/how-israel-destroyed-gazas-ability-to-feed-itself.
(10) In Gaza, 'an estimated 22% of agricultural land' has been destroyed .... https://observers.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231212-in-gaza-an-estimated-22-of-agricultural-land-has-been-destroyed-since-the-start-of-the-conflict.
(11) https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-swords-of-iron-war-is-harming-israels-food-security-and-agriculture/
(12) https://www.technavio.com/report/israel-agriculture-market-industry-analysis%3famp

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