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After a dry and warm start to winter, Lebanon is currently experiencing an intense cold wave with freezing temperatures. Snow has also appeared at unusually low altitudes, creating difficult conditions, especially for agriculture.
After an unusually dry and warm start to winter, a severe cold wave and snowfall have hit Lebanon, causing major disruptions in the agricultural sector, particularly affecting sensitive crops. Farmers are facing a delicate situation as exceptionally low temperatures challenge the resilience of their plantations. Agriculture is grappling with multiple challenges this year, as climate conditions undergo somewhat worrying disturbances.
Before the onset of this cold wave, Lebanon had already seen irregular rainfall and above-average temperatures, disrupting the natural cycles of many crops. "Olive trees, for instance, began adjusting to a warmer climate, delaying their essential winter dormancy," explained the owner of an olive grove to This is Beirut. "Similarly, avocado trees — highly sensitive to climate variations — experienced stunted growth due to dry soil and a lack of moisture."
In response, farmers had to adjust their irrigation schedules and implement protective measures to shield their crops from prolonged drought. However, the combination of insufficient rainfall and rising temperatures had already depleted Lebanon’s limited water resources, placing further strain on agricultural production.
A Climate Shock for Crops
The sudden return of cold temperatures has been particularly damaging to crops at lower altitudes, where winters are typically milder. While olive and avocados trees can generally tolerate periods of mild cold, a sharp temperature drop can cause irreparable damage. "The younger the tree, the more vulnerable it is," an avocado producer told This is Beirut. "Fortunately, the fruits are not yet ripe and are therefore more resilient to climate fluctuations. However, we are already seeing yellowing leaves and delayed fruit maturation," he continued. "If this cold wave persists or intensifies, both the trees and their fruits could suffer irreversible damage, and when temperatures drop below zero, disaster is almost inevitable," he warned.
Avocados, which are highly sensitive to temperatures below 5°C, have been particularly affected. He explained that if this cold had arrived in the spring when trees are in bloom, the impact on the harvest would have been catastrophic. Extreme cold can damage young fruits and new shoots, stunting growth and reducing yields. Frost can kill flower buds, directly affecting fruit production for the following year. Moreover, when snow melts, it leaves behind excessive moisture, which can promote the development of fungal diseases.
Economic Fallout on Agriculture
These weather conditions have direct consequences on agricultural yields. Losses can be significant for olive and avocado farms, which are crucial economic sectors in certain Lebanese regions, especially as the south of the country is still struggling to recover from the ravages of war. Severe frost can drastically reduce production or, in the worst cases, wipe out entire harvests.
Producers are also forced to invest more in protective techniques, such as heating (using wood or tire fires) to prevent crop freezing or covering young plants with tarps. While these investments are necessary to save the harvest, they drive up production costs - an added burden for farmers already grappling with soaring energy and raw material prices as well as the economic crisis.
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