BEIRUT: Hours-long queues have returned outside gas stations in Lebanon as stores run short of supplies of cooking oil and flour amid growing fears of a food security crisis.
Citizens told Arab News: “We saw on social media that a new crisis is brewing. We went to the supermarket to find people fighting over cooking oil and flour.
“We do not trust the promises made by the ruling authority and we have run out of basic food items and medicines earlier,” he said.
“We fear it might happen again, especially since Ramadan is approaching,” he said.
Lebanon lost vital wheat silos in the Beirut port explosion in 2020. The facilities used to store approximately 120,000 tonnes of wheat.
Today, the country stores most of its wheat in warehouses in the north, after unloading supplies at the port of Tripoli.
But Lebanon still lacks sufficient storage space, and relies on regular imports to secure monthly demand for wheat, which is around 50,000 tonnes.
In 2020, Lebanon imported more than 630,000 tonnes from Ukraine, accounting for 80 percent of its total imports. Russia supplied the remaining 15 percent, while 5 percent came from other countries.
And in 2021 Lebanon imported 520,000 tonnes from Ukraine and the rest from Russia.
Lebanon’s remaining reserves are projected to last a little more than a month, especially if the central bank fails to transfer money for wheat shipments ordered by Lebanese mills.
Economy Minister Amin Salam said that the government is trying to enter into agreements with several countries to import wheat at fair prices and safe stocks for two months.
“But the problem remains in the source and price, apart from the speed of delivery of supplies before our stock runs out,” he said.
As a result of the financial collapse and currency devaluation, Lebanon’s purchasing power has declined significantly, meaning its economy is almost entirely dependent on imports.
The prices of goods, food and services are now linked to global markets, and any international event, such as the Ukraine conflict, has a direct impact on the Lebanese public.
Lebanon’s annual imports from Ukraine are about $500 million.
Hani Bohsali, head of the Food Importers’ Syndicate in Lebanon, said: “Lebanon imports 100,000 tons of oil per year, of which 90,000 tons is sunflower oil, and 60 percent of sunflower oil comes from Ukraine, 30 percent from Russia and 10 percent from Russia.” Comes from. Russia. Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Ukraine is not currently exporting, while Russia may face problems with the SWIFT system, which will hinder imports.
While the government seeks alternative countries to supply wheat, Bohsali warned that there was no alternative to sourcing cooking oil or the raw materials needed for their production.
On Sunday, members of the State Security Directorate inspected gas stations that were closed on Saturday, claiming they had run out of supply. The authorities forced them to reopen when the stock was left.
Queues returned at gas stations on Saturday following rumors of a fuel crisis.
Official fuel prices were increased on Thursday, with 20-liter gasoline costing more than 400,000 Lebanese pounds ($20). A 20-liter canister of diesel carried up to 375,000 Lebanese pounds.
Energy Minister Walid Fayed, however, denied that there was a crisis on Sunday.
He said the ships supplying gasoline are at sea and will soon unload their cargo. “It seems that fuel suppliers are looking to issue a daily price schedule to keep pace with global markets,” Fayed said.
The Directorate General of Petroleum is expected to release a new table of fuel prices keeping in view the rise in global fuel prices.
Georges Braques, a member of the gas station owners’ syndicate, called on citizens to avoid panicking and stockpiling gasoline.
“It is true that the quantity reaching Lebanon is now less than before because of the global crisis, but what we get is sufficient for local needs,” he said.
Brex called on the central bank to accelerate prepayments for ships unloading their cargo to avoid a crisis, especially since the situation could worsen in the future.
Acting Information Minister Abbas al-Halabi said: “Lebanon is communicating with international companies to resolve the issue of food security.”
He said many countries were facing difficulties in exports and imports amid concerns of war in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government will soon halt exports of food produced in Lebanon until the crisis triggered by the Ukraine crisis subsides, and later export wheat and flour to maintain domestic bread supplies. it happens. will limit.
The Ministry of Economy will also work to prevent monopolies and pricing.
During his Sunday sermon, Maronite Patriarch Poor Boutros al-Rahi called for an end to wars that “entice fighters to practice barbarism against each other.”
He said: “We pray that the war stops, have mercy on the innocent. We pray for an end to destruction, killing and displacement.
“We pray that the anger and hatred subside. We pray that the parties to the conflict sit in peace and resolve their conflict. We emphasize the need to adopt a neutrality policy.”