In recent months, Israel’s public broadcaster aired several reports on Israel’s massive problem in exporting fruits, particularly to European markets.

The reports, which indicate what the growers themselves describe as a looming “collapse,” unwittingly testify to the importance of the continuing international boycott of Israel.

“They don’t want our mangoes,” a grower tells Kan 11. “In Europe, they talk to us only if they’re missing something. Only then do they buy from us. If they have an alternative, they avoid it.”

Ronen Alfasi says that most of the crops from his sector used to be exported to Asian countries, but mentions the “logistical problem against the Houthis” as the reason for which “all the logistical lines have changed.” Longer and more expensive routes were sought, Alfasi says, with containers arriving after 90 to 100 days late. “And they came with big quality problems,” he described.

The only remaining market that’s available, Alfasi says, is Russia. Even though he’s losing money as a citrus farmer, he’s exporting to Russia just to cover warehouse expenses.