Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Agriculture in Israel - statistics & facts
In the early 20th century, the ubiquitous Jaffa Oranges brand was a symbol of Israel’s developing economy. For decades, local farmers supplied colder European markets with these tropical fruits, injecting the local economy with much needed foreign currency. Today, Israel’s economy is better known for its technology sector, rather than the citrus trade. On a macro level, the share of agricultural production accounted for only about one percent of total GDP in recent years. In real terms, in 2023, the sector’s output was valued at several billion U.S. dollars. Despite its relatively small role in the economy, local crops and animal cultivation served as the country’s main source of food. This positions agriculture as a strategic industry in Israel, with implications for national security.
