A Lebanese farmer picks apples in an orchard of Baalbek in eastern Bekaa, Lebanon, on Sept. 22, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A Lebanese farmer unloads apples into plastic boxes in an orchard of Baalbek in eastern Bekaa, Lebanon, on Sept. 22, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A Lebanese farmer picks apples in an orchard of Baalbek in eastern Bekaa, Lebanon, on Sept. 22, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A Lebanese farmer unload apples into plastic boxes in an orchard of Baalbek, in eastern Bekaa, Lebanon, on Sept. 22, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Autumn has arrived at many orchards in Lebanon. Apples, ripe for the picking, are the important source of income for about 30,000 Lebanese families.

Lebanon annually produces about 6 million boxes of apples, while this year apple farmers fear they will suffer from losses since most Arab countries have stopped importing Lebanese apples.

Due to the shortage of diesel, the high price and the rationing of electricity, the cost of refrigeration has risen with the fee for cooling a box of apples reaching 10 U.S. dollars.