GHANDOURIYYEH, LEBANON – OCTOBER 22, 2026: An abundant olive crop offers a promising season for farmer and mill owner Shawki Ghandour, but burned trees and inaccessible farmland are preventing the 80-year-old from gathering part of his harvest.
Speaking at his olive mill in Ghandouriyyeh, southern Lebanon, Ghandour says this is his best harvest in years. He nevertheless estimates that the conflict and restrictions on access to his groves have cost him a third of the crop.
According to Ghandour, around 110,000 square metres of his farmland near Wadi al-Hujair remain inaccessible. He says 1,000 olive trees on these properties have burned, while another 500 cannot be harvested because of restrictions and the danger posed by Israeli military activity.
MedPress contributor J I Mota reported witnessing Israeli attacks in the Bani Hayyan and Qantara areas on October 22, with smoke rising above nearby hills as farmers continued harvesting and milling olives in Ghandouriyyeh.
Ghandour says he planted around 4,000 olive trees over the past 50 years. He continues harvesting on approximately 200,000 square metres closer to the village, with picking running from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. He estimates that another 15 days are needed to complete work on the land he can reach.
Alongside the losses, lower selling prices and the costs of fertilizers, pruning and maintaining the groves are putting pressure on his income. Ghandour says a tin of olive oil now sells for approximately $130–$140, compared with $150–$160 last year, and calls for government assistance with agricultural supplies.
“I’ve lost a third of my harvest,” he says.
Story and photos: © J I Mota / MedPress
