60 per cent of all Israel’s agricultural exports are now grown in the Arava – originally the desert region from Eilat to the Dead Sea. Israel has truly made the desert bloom. 600 farms now produce 150,000 tons of peppers per year, plus tomatoes, dates, melons, mangos, and even fish.
http://israel21c.org/environment/the-surprising-source-of-israels-edible-exports/