Coronavirus, foreign imports lessen demand for famed Nineveh olives
FADHILIYA, Iraq — Olive farmers in Nineveh's Fadhiliya are thankful for a bountiful harvest this year, but demand for their product is low.
"This year, praise God, production is great, but there is no demand, there are no sales," said olive grove owner Ali Jerjis.
Demand for cheap olives from Iran and Turkey are driving down sales of local produce, which can be costly to farm.
"The olive picking costs 200,000 dinars (160 US Dollars) per ton and you have to sell for 300,000 to 400,000 dinars (240-320 US Dollars) per ton. But you have other costs," Jerjis added.
Fadhiliya is famous for its olive trees, estimated at one million.
The village was on the frontlines of the war against the Islamic State (ISIS) and was occupied by the terror group.
Many of its olive groves were burned, but villagers began replanting olive trees three years ago.
Olive farmers say coronavirus has also impacted their sales, with travel restrictions hindering sales to Basra, Sulaimani and other provinces.
"The coronavirus has impacted us, because the checkpoints used to be open and our olives were exported to the southern governorates," said Fakhri Mahmoud.
"This year, praise God, production is great, but there is no demand, there are no sales," said olive grove owner Ali Jerjis.
Demand for cheap olives from Iran and Turkey are driving down sales of local produce, which can be costly to farm.
"The olive picking costs 200,000 dinars (160 US Dollars) per ton and you have to sell for 300,000 to 400,000 dinars (240-320 US Dollars) per ton. But you have other costs," Jerjis added.
Fadhiliya is famous for its olive trees, estimated at one million.
The village was on the frontlines of the war against the Islamic State (ISIS) and was occupied by the terror group.
Many of its olive groves were burned, but villagers began replanting olive trees three years ago.
Olive farmers say coronavirus has also impacted their sales, with travel restrictions hindering sales to Basra, Sulaimani and other provinces.
"The coronavirus has impacted us, because the checkpoints used to be open and our olives were exported to the southern governorates," said Fakhri Mahmoud.