As in previous periods, agriculture continued to employ most of the population during the Mandate period. Crops included wheat, sesame, vegetables, and orchards (mainly olive trees).

During this period, citrus cultivation was introduced to the area surrounding the city. The orchard owners were wealthy families (the Dahmash and Hasuna families). In order to plant the orchards, the orchard owners uprooted some of the olive groves. Towards the end of the Mandate period, in 1944, the land in Lod was divided as follows:

  • Citrus - 3,217 dunams.
  • Bananas - 3 dunams.
  • Other orchards - 7,956 dunams.
  • Grains - 7,711 dunams.

* Total cultivated area - 18,887 dunams, out of 19,868 dunams - the entire area.

From: Vakar, Ora, 1977, Lod - Historical Geography, published by Goma and the Lod Municipality - Chrikover.

The main crops grown by the residents of Lod were sesame and olives. These crops were the basis for extensive industrial processing at that time. The number of olive oil and sesame oil mills increased, and some of these mills began using hydraulic presses, which increased the factories' output. The large oil and soap factories belonged to the Rantisi, Mister Far, and Chen-Chen families. One of these mills belonged to a Jew, Israel Nimzovitz. After many changes, the property was transferred to a Christian resident of the city. In addition to these factories, there were also several spinning mills in Lod, where special fabrics for traditional Muslim clothing (keffiyehs, abayas) were woven, and there was also a large leather processing factory. Most of these factories were concentrated in the Eastern Quarter of the city or on the outskirts of this quarter.

From: Vakar, Ora, 1977, Lod - Historical Geography, published by Goma and the Municipality of Lod - Cherikover.

Most of the trade was in agricultural produce, which was brought to Lod from all over the surrounding area. The traditional livestock market also continued to exist. This market was located not far from Khan al-Hilou, where only agricultural produce was traded. The livestock market was national, and merchants flocked to it from all over the country. The market was held every Thursday (according to Mr. Dahmash) at the site where the Hapoel soccer field is located today. There is no doubt that the transformation of Lod into the largest railway junction in the country made it easier for livestock traders to access Lod. On market days, the city resembled a huge, colorful fair that was a great to watch. The economic prosperity in Lod was accompanied by the development of trade. Many shops opened along the Jerusalem-Haifa road, which was paved at that time. These shops were mainly located in the Western Quarter and were more spacious and comfortable than those in the eastern quarter. Most of these shops are still in operation today.

From: Vakar, Ora, 1977, Lod - Historical Geography, published by Goma and the Municipality of Lod - Chrikover.