The Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza allowed local traders on Sunday to import citrus fruits from Israel via Kerem Shalom border crossing.
Jalal Ismail director of marketing and crossings said “The Ministry allowed starting from today importing citrus fruits especially orange due to the shortages in the local market.”
Ismail pointed out that the measure falls in line with the ministry’s support to the farmers. On one hand it prevents importing any item before it runs out of the markets; on the other hand it helps traders to meet the needs of citizens to bridge the shortfall in the Gazan markets and to create balance in prices.
Ismail said that the Ministry allowed importing different kinds of oranges including navel oranges while clementine will be allowed on Wednesday.
This year’s citrus season was different in which the Strip produced 29 thousand tons of various types Ismail explained adding that the Gaza Strip’s needs of citrus fruits reach 35 thousand tons and produces 70% of the mentioned percentage.
