32% of Lebanese wine production is annually exported to 24 European countries

The Minister of Tourism, Michel Pharaon, inaugurated yesterday the wine fair 2014 organised by Vinifest at the Beirut hippodrome with the participation of the EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst as well and other European diplomats and key public figures. The president of the Lebanese wine federation, Zafer Chaoui, noted in his opening speech that the overall wine production in Lebanon is 8.5 million bottles of wine of which 32% are exported.  He also noted that wine import from European countries exceeds export and that is why, the EU is working in collaboration with member states to increase imports from Lebanon, knowing that the Lebanese wine is already present in the markets of 24 European countries, namely the UK, France and Germany.
For her part, Eichhorst noted that Lebanon is considered amongst the most important wine producers given the diversity of its soil and as indicated by its record of 32% exports. The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Louis Lahhud saluted the Lebanese winemakers who are extending great efforts for raising Lebanon's name and for making wine a main ambassador of Lebanon all over the world.  He added that his Ministry is currently carrying out preparations for holding the Lebanese wine day in New York in May 2015.

Source: Al-Diyar 10 October 2014