Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
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Planting of 2015 winter cereal crop concluded in January; average crop expected
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Cereal import requirements in 2014/15 set to increase
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Estimated number of Syrian refugees in need of humanitarian assistance continues to increase
Generally favourable conditions for 2015 cereal crops
Planting of the 2014/15 winter season cereals, for harvest from June, concluded in January and that of sorghum is about to start. Cumulative precipitation by the second decade of March 2015 in all provinces exceeds that of last year as well as the long-term average (1989-2012).
Vegetation conditions as captured by the satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) suggest a good establishment of winter crops. The far eastern part of the Nabatieh and most southern part of Beqaa provinces, an area mostly used for grazing is currently showing slightly below-average NDVI. Overall, an average cereal harvest is tentatively forecast in 2015.
In 2014, total cereal production is estimated at about 177 000 tonnes, similar to the previous year and the five-year average.
Concerns about sustainability and efficiency of water use in agriculture are prevalent and arise regularly.
Lebanese exporters of horticultural products, fruits in particular, are experiencing difficulties due to the continuing conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic that disrupted land routes with occasional closings. An alternative marine transportation is costlier but also unsuitable for a variety of highly perishable products.