For Tu BiShvat, Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics released data on orchards, fresh fruit production, and dried fruit imports. The report shows a significant drop in new tree plantings in 2023–2024, mainly due to the war.
The estimated area of newly planted fruit trees in the Hebrew year 5784 (2023–2024) was 9,753 dunams, compared to 28,619 dunams in 2022–2023 and 4,224 dunams in 5782 (2021–2022), which was a shmita year.
Orchard plantings fell by 66%, likely because of the war and reduced agricultural activity in conflict zones. New forest plantations covered 4,465 dunams in 2023–2024, down from 5,357 dunams the previous year.
Total fruit orchard production decreased by 1.5% compared to 2023. Citrus fruits comprised 31.6% of all orchard production in 5784, yielding about 435,000 tons, 17.2% less than the previous year.
From December 2023 to December 2024, prices of dried fruits and nuts increased: sunflower seeds rose by 4.6%, nuts and pistachios by 4%, dried fruits by 3.7%, peanuts by 1.8%, and almonds by 0.2%.
Most imported nuts in Israel come from the U.S. Vietnam is the leading supplier of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews. The majority of apples, pears, and quinces are imported from Italy.
Source: www.newsru.co.il