Head of the Olive Presses Committee in the Gaza Strip, Shaher Al-Reefi:

▪ The number of presses fit for operation has declined significantly compared with 2022, when there were 39 presses with a production capacity reaching 136 tons per hour.

▪ The number of presses that can be operated has dropped to 8 presses, most of them in the central governorate.

▪ The presses are suffering from a severe shortage of spare parts and a sharp increase in maintenance costs, in addition to power outages and fuel shortages.

▪ There is communication with supporting institutions to secure fuel, generator oils, technical labor, and train staff on the operating mechanism.

▪ Guidance tours for farmers are organized inside the fields, and work is underway to provide part of the labor costs for harvesting operations.

▪ The presses form a key link between the agricultural and industrial sectors and an important source of job opportunities in the fields, transport, storage, and operation.

▪ Initial estimates indicate about 5,000 tons of olive fruits within an area estimated at 5,000 dunams planted with olive trees.

▪ Efforts are being made to benefit from the pressing output and reduce production costs in a way that suits the purchasing power of consumers in the Strip.