External trade in the occupied Syrian Arab Golan has undergone a fundamental transformation during the post-occupation years. Immediately after the occupation began, local markets were opened to the flood of goods from Israel. But as was the case in the occupied Palestinian territories, the counterflow of agricultural goods from the area into Israel was put under tight Israeli control. No data are available on trade with Israel, but it is clear that Syrian nationals are more heavily dependent on Israel for their goods than are Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories. Unlike merchants in the occupied Palestinian territories, businessmen in the occupied Syrian Arab Golan have not established direct trade relations with overseas countries.
Apples are about the only export item of external trade from villages in the area.
The West Bank and Gaza Strip received about 25 per cent of the output. Delivery to Israeli wholesales is sometimes made in the apple packing plant using buyers' boxes and trademarks. The bulk of apples going to Israel is disposed of in the Tel Aviv wholesale market. All shipments to Israel must be accompanied by individual permits from the Fruit Marketing Board, as is the case with other Israeli producers. The Board issues these permits at a normal fee and without undue delay.