Erez, A., Volcani Center, A. R. O., P.O. Box 6, Bet - Dagan, 50250, Israel
Spharim, I., Volcani Center, A. R. O., P.O. Box 6, Bet - Dagan, 50250, Israel
Shalhevet, S., Volcani Center, A. R. O., P.O. Box 6, Bet - Dagan, 50250, Israel

The developmental stages of the Israeli modern horticulture may be divided into 5 phases as follows: 1st phase: Establish easy to handle fruit products: wine grapes and almonds , late 19 century. 2nd phase: Establish citrus orchards in irrigated land for export mostly, Early 20 century, 3rd phase: Widening the variation of fruit crops for local consumption and part for export: mostly after 1950. phase (present): Reduced profitability of export and increase of local demand led to increase in production for the local market on the expense of export. Opening of the markets to importation leads to improvement in production efficiency. As of the late 80ies of this century. 4th phase (future): Concentrating on niche markets with a high return for specialty product for export and local market, reduced labor involved in horticultural crops. In the local market, increased efficiency due to competition from other countries.