How Lebanon’s Apples Keep Rural Families Alive

The apple is one of Lebanon’s most prominent agricultural products. Grown in the Lebanese mountains at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2,000 meters, apples are more than just fruit, they are the lifeblood of countless villages stretching from the Beqaa Valley to Akkar.

This mountainous environment gives Lebanese apples their unique qualities, a rich color, crisp texture, balanced sweetness, and juicy freshness. They are also packed with nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, known for their anti-cancer properties and overall health benefits.

As autumn arrives, the harvest begins. From September to December, farmers get busy picking, sorting, selling, and storing their apples in refrigerators — a practice that allows these fruits to stay available all year round. During this time, they also prepare traditional Lebanese preserves and manage export procedures.

Apples form a true economic pillar in rural Lebanon. Many families depend on the harvest to cover education, healthcare, and daily expenses. When apples go unsold, the entire rural economy feels the strain.

However, one major challenge persists: surplus production and limited markets. While apples are transformed into various products such as jam, juice, cider, vinegar, sour syrup (ḥosrom al-tuffāḥ), arak, and desserts — with little awareness or production of apple tea - there remains a large portion of the yield unused.

To counter this, Lebanon exports much of its apple production to neighboring Arab countries including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and others. Yet, in recent years, fruit merchants have faced mounting export challenges due to border restrictions, rising transport costs, and the absence of a clear governmental strategy. As a result, apples now pile up in cold storage, often to be sold at lower prices.

In response, Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, launched a campaign:

“Eat an apple a day and save a village.” 🍎

A simple act of health becomes an act of solidarity. A small gesture that sustains communities and traditions.

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, in Lebanon, it may also help avert a social and economic crisis. 🍏