October 31, 2026
Under the slogan of fortifying agricultural production and protecting the identity of Lebanese oil, the activities of the first edition of the Olive Festival and Exhibition were launched in the Hasbaya and Arqoub regions, under the patronage and presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, who revealed a comprehensive road map to advance the agricultural sector in the south.
The opening ceremony witnessed a wide official and popular presence, presented by the President of the Hasbani Municipalities Union, Labib Al-Hamra, and the President of the Arqoub Municipalities Union, Qasim Al-Qadiri, along with mayors, mukhtars, representatives of local associations and activities, and a large crowd of farmers and exhibitors. The exhibition constituted a vital platform for displaying olive and olive oil products, and a space for discussion about the grave challenges facing farmers, especially the economic repercussions of the war on their sources of livelihood.
In the opening remarks, both Al-Hamra and Al-Qadri appreciated the Ministry of Agriculture’s continuous follow-up of the sector’s affairs in the south. For her part, the head of the “Hermon Marathon” Association confirmed that the festival represents a foundational step in launching an annual station that allows olive farmers to display and market their products, and to highlight the high quality of the region’s oil.
For his part, Minister Nizar Hani confirmed that the Nabatieh and South governorates contain about 30% of the total olive trees in Lebanon, describing the south as the land of olives and extra virgin oil, despite the damage it suffered as a result of the war. He explained that laboratory tests of oil samples taken from presses in Nabatieh Governorate were reassuring and conformed to standard Lebanese specifications.
Hani presented estimates of the current agricultural season, noting that Lebanese production is estimated at about 200,000 tons of olives, of which about 30,000 tons are harvested for table olives, while olive oil production is expected to reach about 30,000 tons.
To advance the sector, the Minister of Agriculture identified four basic priorities: It is represented First priority In improving the quality of production and increasing the share of oil classified as “virgin” and “extra virgin,” by developing agricultural practices at all stages, from tree care to pressing, storage, and packaging. And grounded Second priority To enhance the identity of Lebanese oil by marketing it in containers bearing the names of villages and reliable brands to preserve its market value. She said goodbye Third priority To raise local consumption rates, noting that the average per capita consumption in Lebanon is 4 liters annually, compared to 8 liters in Italy, 8.2 liters in Spain, and 10.2 liters in Greece (according to data from the International Olive Council 2022-2023). As for Fourth priority It focuses on firmly combating smuggling and commercial fraud, and strengthening market supervision to protect the consumer, the farmer, and the reputation of Lebanese production.
In a related context, Hani touched on the results of his meetings with the Federation of Municipalities of Hasbani and Arqoub. The former called for reviving the “General Organization for Olives and Olive Oil,” while the latter focused on increasing support for those affected by the war, in addition to examining ways to manage forests and provide firewood for the people in accordance with environmental principles in light of the diesel crisis.
On the sidelines of the festival, an advisory seminar was held, presented by expert Fouad Wansa, which discussed the proper methods of olive harvesting and post-harvesting treatments to ensure the quality of the crop. Minister Hani, with the participation of the President of the Union and the Head of the Authority, also distributed sets of modern agricultural tools provided by the “SEAL” Foundation (which included shears and battery-operated saws) to the officially registered farmers.
The festival concluded with a greeting of appreciation addressed by the Minister of Agriculture to the farmers who are steadfast in their lands, praising the efforts of the organizers in making this initiative a success, which enhances the presence of Lebanese oil in the markets.
