Homs Farming Cost Squeeze

Apple and potato farmers in Homs face rising costs for plowing, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation and labor, as well as harvesting, sorting, transport, storage and commissions—all of which eat into their profits. The cost of pesticides and fertilization for apples is 10,000 to 15,000 new Syrian pounds per dunum. Sales of around 100 crates may bring in 80,000 to 100,000 pounds, from which the market takes a commission of up to 30,000, before other expenses are counted. Farmers say the gap between the market price of their crops and the income they receive stems from the accumulation of these costs, and are calling for better marketing and oversight of agricultural pesticides.

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