Agriculture in the ENP-South countries: largely determined by climatic conditions and influenced by cultural values

This article presents selected statistics and analyses on the economic importance of the agricultural sector for nine Mediterranean countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP-South countries). It provides an overview of the agriculture contribution to their economy, employment, trade in food and live animals, the livestock and crops situation in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.

Agriculture remains important in most of the ENP-South countries; less by its contribution to the gross value added of the national economy but rather as a source of employment. Linked to the topographic characteristics and the prevailing climatic conditions, the share of land used for agriculture is generally low, except for Tunisia. The livestock reflects cultural traditions and is dominated by sheep. Morocco and Egypt are the main producers of cereals, although harvested quantities vary substantially according to annual rainfall.