Agriculture in Israel - statistics & facts
In the early 20th century, the ubiquitous Jaffa Oranges brand was a symbol of Israel’s developing economy. For decades, local farmers supplied colder European markets with these tropical fruits, injecting the local economy with much needed foreign currency. Today, Israel’s economy is better known for its technology sector, rather than the citrus trade. On a macro level, the share of agricultural production accounted for only about one percent of total GDP in recent years. In real terms, in 2023, the sector’s output was valued at several billion U.S. dollars. Despite its relatively small role in the economy, local crops and animal cultivation served as the country’s main source of food. This positions agriculture as a strategic industry in Israel, with implications for national security.
Growing reliance on foreign produce
The story of Israel’s food cultivation in recent years is one of stagnation. Despite overall growth in the value of agricultural output, production volumes have stalled. In the case of plant crops, quantities have in fact gradually declined. In 2023, Israeli farmers produced notably less fruits, vegetables, and grains, than in 2015. This decrease occurred despite a growing population and demand for food products. In response, the country increasingly turned to agricultural imports to meet a greater share of its nutritional needs. In 2023, foreign grown produce accounted for material share of fruit and vegetable supplies, showing a rise of five percentage points from 2016 .
Health trends drive exports
Israeli farmers have capitalized on the growing popularity of avocado and palm dates by health-conscious global consumers. Between 2019 and 2023, avocado production in the country grew by almost a quarter, while the value of avocado exports increased by under half. Similarly, over the same period, the output of date fruit saw marked growth, and the value of exports experienced an appreciable increase. These two products have come to dominate Israeli fruit exports and eclipsed the citrus fruit category Israel was well known for.
Growing reliance on foreign produce
The story of Israel’s food cultivation in recent years is one of stagnation. Despite overall growth in the value of agricultural output, production volumes have stalled. In the case of plant crops, quantities have in fact gradually declined. In 2023, Israeli farmers produced notably less fruits, vegetables, and grains, than in 2015. This decrease occurred despite a growing population and demand for food products. In response, the country increasingly turned to agricultural imports to meet a greater share of its nutritional needs. In 2023, foreign grown produce accounted for material share of fruit and vegetable supplies, showing a rise of five percentage points from 2016 .
Health trends drive exports
Israeli farmers have capitalized on the growing popularity of avocado and palm dates by health-conscious global consumers. Between 2019 and 2023, avocado production in the country grew by almost a quarter, while the value of avocado exports increased by under half. Similarly, over the same period, the output of date fruit saw marked growth, and the value of exports experienced an appreciable increase. These two products have come to dominate Israeli fruit exports and eclipsed the citrus fruit category Israel was well known for.
