Agriculture Ministry issues olive harvest guidelines
Ministry of Agriculture has issued a set of guidelines for farmers as the olive harvest season begins across the country, urging them to adopt proper harvesting, handling and transportation practices to preserve olive oil quality and protect trees for future seasons.
The ministry stressed that harvesting methods and timing play a key role in determining both the quantity and quality of olive oil, while also affecting tree health and productivity.
Among its main recommendations, the ministry advised farmers to begin harvesting when approximately 50% of the olives have changed colour from green to purple, allowing for a balance between oil yield and quality. It also recommended manual picking, combs and suitable mechanical equipment, warning against using sticks that can damage the fruit and break new branches, affecting future production.
Farmers were also urged to handle olives carefully to prevent bruising and avoid mixing freshly harvested fruit with olives that have fallen to the ground.
For transportation, the ministry recommended ventilated plastic crates and warned against using bags, which can cause heat and moisture to accumulate and compromise fruit quality.
It further stressed the importance of taking olives to the press as quickly as possible, preferably on the same day they are harvested. Any delay should not exceed 48 hours, with olives kept in shaded, well-ventilated areas and spread in layers no deeper than 20 centimetres.
The ministry also highlighted occupational safety during harvesting, advising workers to avoid climbing trees whenever possible and instead use properly secured ladders or extended-reach harvesting equipment to prevent falls and injuries.
The ministry called on farmers and agricultural workers to comply with the recommendations, stressing that proper harvesting practices are essential to maintaining the quality of Lebanese olive oil, protecting olive groves and ensuring sustainable production in the years ahead.
