Lebanon

Lebanon has an established potato industry centred mainly in the Bekaa Valley and Akkar Plain, where the crop is grown under contrasting climatic and production conditions. The Bekaa, at relatively high elevation, is the country's largest potato-growing area, while Akkar in northern Lebanon is particularly important for early-season production. The country's varied topography, soils and microclimates allow potatoes to be harvested across different periods of the year, contributing to an extended domestic supply season.

Potato production in Lebanon serves both the fresh market and processing sector. Spunta remains the dominant variety for fresh consumption, while Agria is widely associated with processing, particularly chips and other products requiring higher dry matter. Other processing varieties, including Asterix, Diamond, Fabula and Fontana are also grown. Imported certified seed has historically played an important role in commercial production, while the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) has been involved in potato seed production and research, including work on disease-free planting material.

Lebanon is also an important regional supplier of fresh potatoes, with exports traditionally directed mainly toward Arab and Gulf markets, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar. The combination of different production zones allows Lebanese potatoes to reach markets during several seasonal windows. Akkar provides an early crop, while the Bekaa supports additional production later in the year. In 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture reported around 20,000 dunums of potato production in Akkar, with production estimated at about 70,000 tonnes for local consumption and 7,000 tonnes for processing.

The precise date of potato introduction into Lebanon is not well documented. By the 1960s, however, potato production had developed into an important commercial agricultural activity, with Lebanon using quality seed potatoes imported from Western European countries, particularly the Netherlands. During the 1970s, Lebanon had become a significant regional producer, with production reported at around 100,000 tonnes, and potatoes were marketed both domestically and internationally. Spunta became particularly well established in the fresh market, while varieties such as Agria and Lady Rosetta were increasingly associated with processing.

The sector experienced a severe disruption during the Lebanese Civil War, which began in the mid-1970s. Potato production reportedly fell to around 30,000 tonnes in 1976, compared with approximately 100,000 tonnes earlier in the decade. Production subsequently recovered as agricultural activity and market connections were restored. By the 2000s and 2010s, the Bekaa and Akkar had become firmly established as Lebanon's principal potato-producing regions, with the crop serving as an important source of rural income and export revenue. More recently, research and government programmes have focused on improving seed quality, introducing new varieties, increasing production efficiency and strengthening the competitiveness of Lebanese potatoes in domestic and export markets.