Gaza starts exporting cherry tomatoes

Israel allowed Palestinian farmers to export cherry tomatoes from the Gaza Strip, for the first time since 2007. The tomatoes are destined for European markets
 
Israel allowed last Wednesday Palestinian farmers to export a truckload of 20 tons of cherry tomatoes from the Gaza Strip, for the first time since 2007.
 
The tomatoes are destined for European markets and the move was coordinated with the Netherlands government. Palestinian farmers hailed the move as a beginning and said they hoped next year exports would start at the beginning of the season. According to estimates, the exports will yield Gaza's farmers some €150,000 (about $206,500).
 
The Palestinian farmers delivered the tomatoes through the Kerem Shalom crossing to Israeli agricultural export company Agrexco, which markets the produce in Europe. The money is transferred to agricultural cooperatives, which will hand it over to the Palestinian farmers.
 
As part of the renewed exports, which began in November 2010, the Strip's farmers export strawberries, carnations and peppers. Meanwhile, the pepper exports have been halted due to technical problems.
 
So far, Gaza's farmers have exported some 367 tons of strawberries worth €1.8 million ($2.5 million), about 5.3 million carnations worth €850,000 ($1.17 million) and six tons of peppers.