An economic study of olive production and marketing in the western area of Homs Governorate

الملخص

The aim of the research is to conduct an economic and analytical study of olive production and marketing in the western region of Homs Governorate. A sample of 170 olive farmers was carried out. They were personally interviewed and data were collected about the costs of producing and marketing olives, the yield, and the most important production and marketing problems. The results showed that the total costs of olives amounted to (86259.75) SP/ Dunam for the agricultural seasons 2019 and 2018. The agricultural operations costs amounted to 53636 SP /Dunam, which represents (62.17%) of the total costs. The value of the agricultural requirements amounted to about 6541 SYP / dunum, which constitutes (7.58%) of the total costs. The harvesting costs were the most important component of these costs (34.23%). Therefore, olive production is considered profitable, especially for farmers who are able with their families to carry out agricultural operations themselves. The yield of one dunum was 154 kg, and the value of olive revenues was 134,750 SYP / dunum .The realized net profit was 48,490.25 SP/ Dunam. Therefore, olives can be considered profitable crops. The total marketing costs of olives in the study area reached (73.3%) SP/Kg. The marketing margin was about 525 SP / kg, and the net marketing margin amounted to 451.3 SP. The marketing efficiency of the olive crop reached (88.44%). Consequently, the marketing efficiency of the olives is good, and the marketing costs do not constitute a large percentage compared to the total costs. Farmers suffer in the current crisis conditions from the high prices of plowing and transportation due to the high costs of oil derivatives, in addition to the infestation of insect and viral pests and the high harvest wages.