R

Agriculture Development Project

ADP
MED/2003//5715
Issue 12 - February/March 2008

- 12 / 2008

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Mushroom cultivation: a promising business

Many of the Arab countries (such as Maghreb countries, Middle
East countries and Saudi Arabia) encourage mushroom cultivation
and have, for that matter, developed special assistance programs
targeting stakeholders involved in such business, namely rural
women, farmers and even larger agricultural investors.
Interest in this cultivation is underscored by its low cost and
rather high return, its organic residues re-used in industrial
manufacturing, in addition to its known health benefits.
In Lebanon, mushroom cultivation remains under developed.
For that matter, the Agricultural Development Project (ADP),
with the aim of further developing this business, supports the
cooperatives of Kafarzabad and Nabatiyeh along their different
production stages.
Indeed, mushrooms represent a rather promising alternative to
traditional cultivations, and could be nurtured in rural areas, where
the climate is suitable, in the aim of promoting the economic and
social development of such areas.

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Due to the difficult climate conditions and to the chronic lack

of irrigation water as well, farmers in the South of Lebanon
have, historically, opted for traditional cultivations, usually
with low-economic-value, such as olive or tobacco.
In this light, the Cooperative for Mushroom Cultivation
in Upper Nabatiyeh has embarked on its project aiming
at producing oyster mushrooms, which shall, ultimately,
introduce this rewarding business to the Upper Nabatiyeh
area.
For that matter, the cooperative sought the assistance of
the ADP in order to establish the climatically controlled
production facility required to proceed with this venture.
The cooperative takes this opportunity to extend its
appreciation to ADP for providing both the financial and
technical assistance needed to ensure the success of its
endeavor.
Cooperative for Mushroom Cultivation in Upper Nabatiyeh

Noureddine Noureddine

Technical Information

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150

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Avocado Production
Mushroom Cultivation around the World

Mushroom cultivation is currently spread in more than 150 countries

around the world. These, collectively, produce a total of 4 million tons of mushrooms
on a yearly basis.
On the global level, the USA, the Netherlands, France, China, the UK, Chili, Mexico,
India, Indonesia and Malaysia are the top 10 countries producers of mushrooms.
As for the Middle East region, mushroom cultivation is gradually gaining momentum,
especially in countries like Iraq, Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco and
Tunisia.

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Technical Information

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12 / - 2008

Technical Information

Post Harvest Techniques for Avocado

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Post Harvest Techniques for MUSHROOM

Efficient post harvest management is an important prerequisite, especially
when undertaken by specialized entrepreneurs as a market-oriented and profit-making
business, for enhanced income from agricultural production, as well as for increased
household and national food security. Indeed, the implementation of proficient post
harvest handling systems preserves the quality of the produce, and thus, improves
its commercial value, whether used to satisfy agro-industrial or direct consumption
demands.

Maturity Indices

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Quality Indices

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Special considerations

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* : UC Davis .
* * .

-4 12 / 2008

Source: UC Davis University, California, USA.

Post harvest techniques for all fruits and vegetables are available upon request.

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Market Information

Marketing Standards for Avocado

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12 / 5 - 2008

Market Information

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40
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Local Markets
In light of the Holiday season during the month of December, demand for most fruits
and vegetables surged in comparison to their November levels.
Accordingly, and while prices of citrus fruits, and of apples as well, maintained their
previous levels, prices of grapes grew by an average of 40%.
On the vegetables front, prices of pepper surged significantly, by more than 100% for
the hot variety. Additionally, local market developments, namely the obvious reduction
in local supply (as a result of cold weather) and also the commencing of the production
season of the high-cost greenhouse tomatoes, resulted in a growth of around 39% in
local tomato prices.

-
2007

:
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Source: ADP Market Information Service, MOA-FCCIAL

Trade Statistics
Exports and Imports of mushroom

2006 380 . . 129

.
:2006 ( 76) ( 27)
( 14) ( 7) .
5.14./. 4./. 3.52./.
2.22./. .
1000. .
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Lebanons imports of mushroom for the year 2006 amounted to some 129 tons
(or around $380,000).
Main countries exporting mushrooms to Lebanon during that year were: Syria
(76 tons), Belgium (27 tons), France (14 tons), Holland (7 tons) and Oman (2 tons).
Noticeably, prices of mushrooms imported from France ($4/kg) are the highest,
compared to, for example, Belgian mushrooms ($3.52/kg), while prices of
mushrooms imported Syria are the lowest ($2.22/kg).
On the other hand, Lebanon exports of this produce in 2006 amounted to a shy
$1,000, most of which were destined to Saudi Arabia.

( ./)

-6 12 / 2008

Market Information

Export Markets
() 2007

2006 437
293 .
: ( 278 ) ( 156
) ( 98 ) ( 51 ) ( 45 ) .
2006 352
( 278) ( 241) ( 138) ( 102).
2006 400 .
: ( 220 ) ( 146 )
( 30 ) ( 24 ) ( 13 ) .
: ( 1.353) ( 1.126) ( 278) ( 249)
( 92).

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4.41./ 1.40./ .
5.15./
2.35./
2.02./.

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.2008
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Main Agricultural Exhibitions

This section presents the main international agricultural exhibitions scheduled for
the period between May and June 2008. Indeed, these exhibitions represent important
business opportunities for farmers, and for other stakeholders in agriculture as well,
in terms of, not only identifying marketing channels, but also uncovering the latest
developments and technologies related to the agri and agro sectors. Since this list is not
exhaustive, additional information in this regard could be provided upon request.

* : .

Source: ADP Market Information Service, MOA-FCCIAL

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( ) ( ) ()
12 / - 2008

ADP Activities

Conferences and Workshops

Farmers Groups: ID

2006 20
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2006 1/1347
10 15 .

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2007/11/28 .

22000 ISO
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(.)Pilot project



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Agriculture Development Project
ADP
MED/2003//5715

12 -
353390/01 : 303 - 304349614/01 :
agriculture@ccib.org.lb :

- 8 12 / 2008

4 -
- 01 / 849646 :01 / 849648 :
joumana.karame@adplb.com :
ghada.itani@adplb.com