A joint report by the United Nations and Lebanese authorities reveals that the ongoing conflict has inflicted more than $700 million in damages and losses on Lebanon’s agriculture sector. The assessment, conducted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture and the National Council for Scientific Research, estimates $118 million in direct damages and an additional $586 million in economic losses.
The most heavily impacted areas include southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, with crop cultivation identified as the most affected subsector, followed by livestock, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture. The conflict, which displaced over a million people between October 2023 and November 2024, has left many farmers unable to access their land or harvest their crops.
The report underscores the urgent need for support, estimating that $263 million is required for the sector’s recovery, including $95 million in immediate interventions. Key priorities include the restoration of farming, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and the rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructure.
Among the most notable losses were olive groves, with 814 hectares destroyed, resulting in $12 million in direct damages and $237 million in economic losses. Other key crops such as citrus, bananas, potatoes, and grains also suffered significant setbacks. The livestock sector recorded $19 million in damages and $28 million in losses, with serious disruptions to poultry farms and beekeeping.
The war has also taken a toll on Lebanon’s environment, with nearly 5,000 hectares of pine forests scorched, intensifying both ecological and economic challenges.
According to a recent World Bank report, Lebanon’s total reconstruction needs are estimated at $11 billion, with the overall economic impact of the conflict reaching $14 billion. This includes $6.8 billion in infrastructure damage and $7.2 billion in economic losses due to disrupted productivity, lost income, and rising operational costs.
The housing sector has emerged as the most severely affected, with losses estimated at $4.6 billion, followed by the tourism industry, which has suffered losses of around $3.6 billion.
Source: Naharnet
