Call for Proposals – Implementation Agreement for the Development of the Table Grapes Value Chain for Export in Lebanon

Title: Call for Proposals – Implementation Agreement for the Development of the Table Grapes Value Chain for Export in Lebanon Agriculture remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and employment in Lebanon, particularly in the Bekaa Valley, the country's principal production region for fruits and vegetables. In recent years, however, the sector has faced a succession of economic and market shocks, including the prolonged economic crisis, regional trade disruptions, escalating production costs, and an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment. These challenges have significantly reduced productivity, weakened competitiveness, and constrained access to export markets, with medium-scale producers being disproportionately affected. Among Lebanon's horticultural products, table grapes represent one of the country's most important export commodities. While Lebanese grapes are recognised for their quality and favourable production conditions, the sector has experienced declining competitiveness in regional markets and has yet to fully capitalize on opportunities in higher-value export destinations. The recent reopening of the Saudi Arabian market and growing demand for seedless table grapes in European markets present significant opportunities for export growth. However, realizing this potential requires addressing structural constraints across the value chain. The principal challenge lies in the mismatch between the grape varieties currently cultivated and the varieties demanded by international buyers, particularly the growing preference for seedless varieties in premium markets. This is compounded by limited access to high-quality and legally sourced planting material, weak market information, high investment costs associated with varietal replacement, and the absence of systematic variety testing under Lebanese agro-climatic conditions. Medium-scale farmers also face persistent constraints related to access to finance, quality agricultural inputs, technical advi