[en] Most Arab countries are located in the Mediterranean basin and benefit from a typical Mediterranean climate. This climate creates suitable conditions for fruits and vegetables production. Unfortunately, these conditions are also suitable for a diversity of insect pests, which can be transmitted into importing countries with fresh products. To avoid this problem, importing countries normally impose quarantine regulations that can also limit the potential of trade. Phytosanitary treatments, including phytosanitary irradiation, can make it possible to overcome quarantine regulations by killing quarantine pests or making them unable to establish in importing countries. Phytosanitary irradiation requires very costly irradiation facilities that countries, particularly developing ones, might be reluctant to invest their money in before making sure that such facilities will be profitable; something that can delay the implementation of such technology for years. New changes in the import regulations in the United States of America made it possible to treat products in the ports of entry avoiding the immediate need for irradiation facilities in exporting countries. This procedure makes it possible for exporting countries to explore the potential trade benefits before investing in the irradiation facilities. This article discusses the economic potential of phytosanitary irradiation as means for avoiding trade barriers between countries. (author)