North Lebanon potato farmers protest imports from Egypt

Farmers in the North Lebanon town of Hissa protested Thursday potato imports they said would devastate their sales, state media reported.

The National News Agency said the farmers urged government officials and Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb to "salvage" the potato harvesting season in the northern district of Akkar.

Potato harvest season in northern Lebanon is between April 15 and May 30.

They complained that Egyptian imports would wreak havoc on the local potato industry.

An agreement to import Egyptian potatoes “is creating a disastrous situation for us,” one farmer complained, particularly since the growers' debt has increased.

The protesters demanded compensation and speedy action that allows growers to sell potatoes both domestically and for the external market.