The Food Security Committee of the Economic Bodies held a meeting chaired by former Minister Mohammad Choukair at the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. The meeting discussed the current food security situation and the available capabilities in Lebanon, as well as the readiness of sectors to meet the needs of the Lebanese market in light of any potential extension of war into Lebanon.
Leaders of various food sectors presented an overview of their sector's status, current stock levels, available resources, and potential challenges they may face if the situation worsens. After lengthy discussions, the Food Security Committee issued a statement reassuring the Lebanese people of the ability of various food sectors to meet their needs until the end of 2023. It indicated that these sectors include: locally produced food items, imported food products, wheat for bread production (both Arabic and French), poultry produced in Lebanese farms, and live cattle.
The statement also assured that there is a stock of raw materials for pharmaceutical production in Lebanon sufficient for a period of seven months. Despite the significant capabilities of the food sectors, the Food Security Committee warned of two main factors that could disrupt production cycles and hit supply chains hard if the situation deteriorates: the inability to secure the necessary fuel for production and road blockages, which would hinder communication between Lebanese regions, preventing the transport of food and non-food items to those in need, in addition to workers' inability to reach their workplaces, particularly in production units.
On this basis, the committee called on everyone to bear their historical and national responsibilities and make every effort to keep Lebanon away from the flames of war, which could pose significant challenges to the Lebanese people and would be exhausting and costly for Lebanon and its citizens.
