The Syrian Grapes Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of the Food Industries Public Corporation, has recently announced that it expects to meet its annual marketing goals, set at 11,000 tons for the year 2001, according to Al-Baath.
The company did however note that it encountered a serious produce shortage, due to three consecutive years of drought. In 2000, the Grapes Manufacturing Company posted a net operating income of SP 34 million ($655,000).
Grape prices in Syria remain unchanged since 1995, with a kilogram of grapes going at SP 6.3. At this price, many local farmers find it unprofitable to grow the crop, many shifting to other fruit brands. — (Mena Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
