Call for Proposals – Procurement of services for a consultancy firm to support in Value Chain Selection and Market Systems Analysis in Lebanon with a Focus on Export Markets

The agricultural sector in Lebanon plays a very important role in the Lebanese economy and in job creation for both host communities and refugees. Many of these people depend on agriculture as the primary source of income and employment, especially that agriculture in Lebanon is a sector where host communities and refugees can legally work. 

Agriculture is a major cornerstone in rural development, as it represents a primary source of income and employment in rural areas. The agricultural sector in Lebanon accounts for 12.1% of total labour force (2020), with up to 25% in rural areas generating 80% of their GDP. 

Unfortunately, in addition to historical challenges, lack of governmental support, weak infrastructure and instability, the agricultural sector in Lebanon was severely affected by the multiple crises since 2019 and COVID-19 followed by the recent conflict which strongly impacted the sector especially in the Bekaa and the South. Challenges like lack of access to quality inputs and fuel shortages have led to lower agricultural productivity in terms of quality and quantity and higher production costs, making it hard for farmers to sustain their operations and invest in the sector. The total value of Lebanon’s agricultural production in 2021 — meaning the amount that farmers earned from selling their produce — stood at about $1.3 billion, compared to $1.4 billion the year before, and down from more than $1.9 billion in 2018 and 2019, according to the center’s annual report on the state of the agriculture sector.

Additionally, Lebanon’s agriculture and agrifood sector contributes a significant portion of total Lebanese trade, representing nearly a fifth of total exports and imports in 2020. The devaluation of the Lebanese pound and the pandemic have improved the agricultural trade balance, leading to a decrease in imports and an increase in exports between 2019 and 2020, a pattern confirmed in the first months of 2021.3 Currency devaluation in global value chains during the pandemic had a positive impact on Lebanon’s agricultural exports during 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. The MOA could encourage the production of labour-intensive cash crops, such as fruits and vegetables, to improve farmers’ income and sustain or increase employment opportunities in the sector. Export opportunities also help generating higher incomes and profits. 

According to several  assessments and studies in 2023/2024, including  recent study conducted by the Food and Agricultural organization in 20214, and a  value chain analysis conducted by ILO under the SIDA funded Bouzour project 5and to several consultations conducted by the PROSPECTS program with key stakeholders, the priority for the Lebanese agricultural sector is to strengthen crops for import substitution and to seek export markets with a focus on markets in which roots and tubers, vegetables and fruits are in high demand. This was also recently confirmed in the Strategic Priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture (2025/2026) presented by the new Minister of Agriculture in a meeting with partners on 6 March 2025...in which Market Expansion for Lebanese agricultural products to both national and international markets was one of the four key objectives. 

Against this backdrop and taking into account value chains that still need to be supported, the ILO is planning to undertake this study is to evaluate the Lebanese fruits and vegetables sector mapping its opportunities and challenges to identify value chains for exports to the EU and regional markets with a focus on the Gulf. This study will follow a market led approach and the ILO’s market systems development (MSD) approach and will help the ILO team choose sectors with growth potential through two distinctive steps, the first one is the selection of the Value Chains, and the second one is carrying out Market Systems Development analysis for the selected sectors/value chains. 

The ILO is therefore seeking to hire a team of an international and national consultants to undertake the study. The current assignment is relevant to the role of the international consultant who will lead on the study and will be responsible for providing guidance on the overall assessment methodology, data collection and data analysis process, lead on the assessment of the EU and Gulf market demand and the requirements of these markets, advise on market systems development and specific methodology of market systems analysis, and finally responsible for drafting and delivery of the final sectors selection and MSD report with recommendations and clear action plans. While the national consultancy service provider will be leading on the field research, data collection and conducting interviews for all the aspects mentioned in the scope of work below. Both consultants will work closely together and with the ILO to achieve the assessment objectives. 

This process will be guided by several ILO tools, including but not limited to: ILO’s guidelines for value chain selection. A Guide to Market-Based Livelihood Interventions for Refugees, Designing and implementing market-led interventions in forced displacement settings, Value Chain Development for Decent Work, 

Assignment Scope

The scope of this assignment would consist of two distinctive outcomes: 

Outcome 1: Selection of sectors and value chains with potential for inclusive growth, export to the EU and Gulf markets 

• Output A: Develop assessment methodology, Value Chain Mapping and longlisting, Stakeholder mapping, and Selection Criteria Development for value chains selection

• A.1. Development of stakeholder’s engagement strategy
• A.2.Mapping and initial longlisting of value chains
• A.3.Development of value chains selection criteria for export, weighting and scoring mechanism

• Output B: Conduct Data collection and analysis, value chain selection and market analysis

• B.1.Conduct an overview and sectorial analysis
• B.2.Conduct data collection, field investigation and selection of value chains
• B.3.NA
• B.4.Identify common challenges and constraints in the identified value chains for export

Outcome 2: Completion of market systems Development analysis of the selected sector or value chain

• C- Conducting a detailed market systems analysis for the selected value chains for export to the EU and Gulf markets

Required Qualifications

Required Expertise and Qualifications for the consultancy Firm:

The ILO is seeking to procure the services of la Lebanese a business consulting firm that leads fieldwork, local data collection, stakeholder interviews, and provides contextual inputs. The consultancy firm should have a proven experience in agricultural value chain analysis, market systems development with a focus on export promotion for Lebanese fresh products. The firm should have demonstrated expertise in market research and economic analysis, particularly in the context of Lebanese agriculture and export opportunities.

The consulting firm must have a team with following qualifications:

• At least 10 years of proven experience in agricultural value chain analysis, market systems development, with a particular focus on Lebanese crops.
• Team composition should include agricultural economists or value chain specialists with at least 5+ years’ experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting market research and economic analysis related to agricultural export potential, including data collection, stakeholder engagement, and analysis (both qualitative and quantitative).
• In-depth knowledge of Lebanese agricultural value chains, including mapping, development, and stakeholder coordination, particularly in the Bekaa and Akkar regions.
• Familiarity with EU and Gulf regulatory standards and requirements relevant to agricultural exports from Lebanon.
• Prior experience supporting export promotion initiatives or trade-related assessments, particularly in the agriculture and agri-food sectors in Lebanon, is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in research methodologies, including the design and execution of surveys, interviews, focus groups, and secondary data analysis.

Additional Required Experience and Skills:

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality reports, presentations, and strategic recommendations in both English and Arabic.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills to engage with a range of stakeholders across public and private sectors.
• Demonstrated experience working with agricultural actors in Lebanon, including cooperatives, producer groups, exporters, and government bodies.
• Experience delivering consultancy services to international development organizations will be considered an asset.