AGP Executive Report

Egyptian Exports: Farmed fish from Egypt has been cleared for sale across the EU’s 27 member states, opening a major new market for producers. Olive Harvest Under Pressure: Palestinian farmers face another harvest season marked by settler attacks on groves and blocked access to farmland; in southern Lebanon, about 53% of agricultural land was inaccessible at some point amid security conditions. Rising Food Risks: An IMF official warned that higher fertilizer prices linked to Hormuz disruptions could reduce planting and yields, worsening food insecurity across sub-Saharan Africa. Water for Farming: Kuwaiti farmers in Abdaly say treated wastewater could help expand production in areas with few natural irrigation sources. Jordan’s Harvest: Olive presses have begun receiving this season’s crop in Ajloun.

West Bank Olive Harvest: Settler attacks have escalated during the harvest, including an assault on European diplomats accompanying Palestinian farmers. Farmers have also been blocked from harvesting, and 120 olive trees were reportedly cut down near Bethlehem, threatening a vital source of income. Southern Syria: Israeli forces shelled the Tal Ahmar area and reportedly bulldozed agricultural land and olive groves in Quneitra and Daraa, while setting up checkpoints that disrupted residents’ movement. Jordan’s Food Supply: The food industry meets more than 62% of local market needs and generates JD4.5 billion in annual production. In Ajloun, 15 olive presses have begun receiving this season’s crop, with inspections focused on oil quality and environmental safeguards. Dates Sector: Oman hosted an International Dates Council meeting to strengthen cooperation on production, processing, quality and trade. Food-Security Risks: Rising fuel and fertilizer costs linked to the regional conflict are adding pressure to agriculture, while warnings of a broader food crisis underscore the risks of continued disruption to energy and shipping.

West Bank Olive Harvest: Settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and a European diplomatic delegation in Taybeh, days after a separate assault injured a U.S. photojournalist covering the harvest. Farmers have also been blocked from reaching groves, while olive trees and vehicles were burned. Lebanon’s Farmland: President Joseph Aoun says Israeli attacks are damaging southern towns and farmland and keeping farmers from their fields; a Lebanese military delegation will press for an end to the escalation at talks in Florida on Oct. 20. Food Security: Gaza reports 1.4 million people at risk of food insecurity, while UN warnings point to mounting risks for farming. A global energy shock is also raising concern over food costs and agricultural supply chains. Egyptian Exports: The EU has approved Egyptian farmed fish for sale across its 27 member states, while Egypt’s citrus exports reached 2.4 million tonnes in the 2025–26 season.

Iraq’s Food Dependence: The country imports about 95% of its market needs, excluding ration-system grains. A prime ministerial adviser urged stronger links between agriculture, trade and local producers to build jobs and supply chains. West Bank Olive Harvest: Settler attacks and Israeli restrictions are disrupting the harvest, with farmers injured, trees damaged and some growers forced from their land. Rising Farm Costs: The diesel squeeze is adding pressure on farmers and food supply chains; Bulgaria has secured €170 million in EU aid for higher fuel and fertilizer costs. Türkiye’s Water Strain: Drought and groundwater pumping for agriculture are shrinking Salt Lake, threatening wildlife, salt production and local livelihoods. Food Security: Aid agencies warn that 19.2 million Afghans could face hunger this winter as rising prices and declining assistance deepen the crisis. Egyptian Exports: Citrus shipments reached 2.4 million tonnes in the 2025/26 season, highlighting the country’s growing role in regional produce trade.

West Bank Harvest: Settler attacks during the olive harvest burned Palestinian-owned trees and injured harvesters and a US journalist, putting farmers’ livelihoods and access to their land at risk. Food Costs: The Iran conflict is driving up fuel, fertilizer and shipping costs, squeezing farmers and raising food-security concerns across import-dependent markets. The EU also warned that attacks on Ukraine’s ports and grain infrastructure threaten food supplies reaching the Middle East. Trade & Production: Egyptian farmed fish won approval for export to all 27 EU countries, while Turkish fresh-vegetable exports rose 10% to about $823 million. Türkiye and Armenia discussed direct trade as ties warm. Building Resilience: The UAE aims to produce half its crops locally, and a new greenhouse horticulture project is planned in Saudi Arabia. In Morocco, avocado growers put yield gaps and productivity on the agenda.

Egyptian Logistics: Alexandria has opened the US$13.1 million El Amreya dry port, linking seaports with rail and inland markets. The facility is intended to ease congestion and improve access for Egyptian agricultural goods. Olive Harvest Under Attack: Settlers attacked Palestinian farmers across the West Bank, burning trees and vehicles and injuring people, including Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine. A prominent Israeli rabbi also issued a ruling permitting settlers to take Palestinian olives. Food Security Risks: The UN warned that a prolonged Strait of Hormuz closure could trigger a food crisis in Asia and Africa, as fuel and fertilizer disruptions add pressure to farming and food transport. Regional Trade: Turkish fresh vegetable exports rose 10% to US$822.7 million, while Egypt’s farmed fish won approval for export to all 27 EU countries. Lebanon’s Farmland: Israeli actions have damaged 22% of agricultural land in southern Lebanon, according to a recent report.

Water and Food Security: FAO chief QU Dongyu urged smarter water use and fairer access, warning that El Niño-driven droughts and floods threaten crops and livestock. Hormuz Disruption: UN officials warn that blocked shipping could trigger a food crisis, with rising freight costs and disrupted harvests adding pressure to food supplies. Farmers Under Threat: Palestinian farmers face attacks and blocked access to their land; Lebanon’s president has also urged the U.S. to press Israel to protect farmers in the south. Rising Costs: Diesel supplies may stay tight into 2027, while Iran-related disruptions are driving up fertilizer costs and squeezing farm margins. Hunger: Pakistan ranks among South Asia’s worst for hunger, while food insecurity and child malnutrition are worsening in Afghanistan.

West Bank Harvest: Six Palestinian farmers have asked Israel’s High Court to restore access to their land near Nahalin, saying soldiers and settlers have blocked or restricted their work for three years. The petition comes as the olive harvest begins, with farmers reporting damaged crops, threats and lost income. Input Costs and Food Security: Disruption to fuel and fertilizer supplies linked to the Iran conflict is raising costs for farmers and threatening food production. UN warnings say failure to secure fertilizer flows through Hormuz could deepen the risk of a food crisis. Afghanistan Hunger: Nearly 19.2 million people — 38% of Afghanistan’s population — are projected to face acute food insecurity this winter, while child malnutrition is expected to worsen. Egyptian Exports: Egypt’s citrus exports reached 2.4 million tonnes in the 2025/26 season, while the country shipped 81,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables in one week, underscoring the sector’s export strength.

Iraq’s Egg Shortfall: The country produces about 6 billion eggs a year against demand of 9 billion. Feed-supply disruptions linked to Strait of Hormuz tensions and currency swings are pushing up prices; the government has cut import duties and eased farm licensing to revive production. Water and Fisheries: Iraq’s environment minister warned that untreated hospital waste reaches the Tigris, unsettling fish buyers. Health officials clarified HIV cannot spread through food or water, while the pollution threat remains. Turkey’s River Ruling: A court overturned environmental approval for a planned hydroelectric plant on the Sarim River, citing flawed flow estimates and failure to account for dry-season water shortages that could affect farming livelihoods. Farm Input Squeeze: Iranian wheat growers face a cash crunch as payments lag and the rial weakens, while stalled fertilizer arrangements and diesel shortages threaten to raise costs across the region. Palestinian Olive Harvest: Gaza farmers are harvesting from groves damaged by war, while access restrictions and settler attacks are disrupting the West Bank harvest. Sudan’s Food Emergency: Conflict and El Niño-linked drought are worsening food insecurity in Darfur and Kordofan, with crop failures stripping households of food and income.

Egyptian Citrus: Exports rose 16% to 2.44 million tonnes in 2025/26, worth $1.34 billion, but higher shipping costs and tougher competition are squeezing growers’ margins. Fertilizer Supply: A UN official warned that failure to secure fertilizer passage through the Strait of Hormuz within weeks could put planting seasons and food security at risk across parts of Asia and Africa. Iranian Farmers: Wheat growers face a cash crunch as delayed payments and a falling rial threaten planting, while rising fuel and fertilizer costs are also squeezing banana producers. Sudan’s Food Crisis: Fighting is displacing people during planting season; an aid group says 24.6 million people face acute food insecurity. Gaza’s Olive Harvest: War damage and restricted access to farmland are sharply reducing harvests, adding to pressure on Palestinian farming communities.

Palestinian Olive Harvest: The UN is urging Israel to protect Palestinian farmers from settler violence as the harvest begins. Across Gaza and the West Bank, conflict damage and blocked access are shrinking the crop and keeping farmers from their land. Iraq’s Farmland: Iraq has launched a plan to distribute one million farms nationwide, alongside a programme allocating 110,000 residential plots in Nineveh. Regional Food Trade: Egypt exported 81,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables in one week and is targeting more than 10 million tonnes of fresh agricultural exports this year. Climate Resilience: Türkiye is developing three drought-tolerant wheat varieties as farmers across the region face growing pressure on water and harvests.

Plant Health: Israeli authorities seized about 300 banana saplings smuggled from Thailand, warning that unregulated plants can introduce pests and threaten local agriculture. Climate-Resilient Crops: Türkiye has developed three drought-tolerant wheat varieties as growers face worsening water stress. West Bank Land Pressure: A CBS investigation reported that extremist settlers use sheep grazing to expand control over Palestinian land; more than 100 Palestinian communities have been displaced or erased, the report said. Gaza Olive Harvest: War damage and restrictions on reaching farmland are sharply reducing the harvest, compounding losses for Palestinian growers.

West Bank Harvest: Yesh Din documented 377 incidents of settler and soldier violence across 162 Palestinian communities in two weeks, including attacks on olive harvesters, blocked access to groves, crop theft and damage to trees. Gaza’s Olive Crop: War damage and access restrictions have sharply reduced the harvest, threatening farmers’ livelihoods. UAE Production: Silal is partnering with berry producers to expand local blueberry cultivation. Morocco Investment: Elite Agro plans to invest $38 million in a 400-hectare fruit farm. Egyptian Exports: Egypt aims to exceed 10 million tons of fresh agricultural exports in 2026.

Local Markets: Duhok apple growers say more than 130 tonnes are sitting unsold and urge a temporary import ban during harvest, alongside investment in processing and exports. Food Security: Türkiye’s President Erdoğan called safe food a national-security priority and urged action on food waste, which he said is concentrated in households. Investment: UAE-based Elite Agro plans a $38 million, 400-hectare Moroccan farm for blueberries, mandarins and avocados, while Silal is expanding blueberry production in the UAE with IQ Berries. Harvest Pressures: Gaza’s olive crop has plunged as war damage and access restrictions keep farmers from their land, disrupting a vital harvest.

Harvest Access: West Bank olive growers face another season of settler attacks and restrictions, while farmers in southern Lebanon struggle to reach groves amid security risks. About 53% of farmland in southern Lebanon and Nabatieh was inaccessible at some point. Water & Irrigation: Nearly 6 million cubic metres of wastewater enter Iraq’s Tigris and Euphrates daily, threatening water used for agriculture as drought shrinks river flows. Egypt and ICARDA are advancing solar irrigation and desalination projects to address water scarcity. Farm Investment & Trade: UAE-based Elite Agro plans an eighth Moroccan farm in a $38 million project. Türkiye’s agricultural exports hit a record in January–September, while Iraq suspended poultry and egg tariffs amid food-price pressure.

Food Prices: The FAO food price index climbed 1.5% in September to its highest level since November 2022, with cereals up 5.1% in a month. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea, alongside drought, are raising risks for import-dependent countries. Jordan’s Water Stress: El Niño may affect Jordan indirectly through atmospheric patterns, experts warn. Nearly 90% of the country gets under 200 millimetres of rain a year, and rangeland productivity has halved since 1990. West Bank Harvest: Israeli military preparations for the olive harvest come amid reports of settler violence and clashes, threatening farmers’ access to crops and land. Egypt’s Agriculture: Egypt and ICARDA are seeking to expand solar irrigation and desalination projects, while a date-processing complex is planned for New Valley. Iraq’s Farm Sector: A new initiative aims to strengthen farm management as the country faces mounting food and economic pressures.