Ministry of Economy Takes Measures to Ensure Food Security and Prevent Market Hoarding

The Ministry of Economy and Trade has issued a memorandum aimed at ensuring food security and the availability of essential goods across all Lebanese regions, while maintaining the smooth flow of supply chains and preventing market disruptions, hoarding, price manipulation, or exploitation of the current circumstances.

In this context, the ministry is implementing the following measures:

First: Utilizing the Available Strategic Stock

According to data available to the ministry, the current stock of essential goods—including food products, wheat, and fuel—is sufficient to cover several months of local consumption. The ministry is monitoring stock levels on a daily basis in coordination with importers and suppliers to ensure the continuous distribution of goods and their delivery to various regions and points of sale without interruption or monopolistic practices.

Second: Securing Additional Shipments Proactively

The ministry is working to ensure the regular flow of supplies to Lebanon through the following steps:
Identifying national needs for essential goods for the coming months.

Urging importers to bring in additional quantities early and not wait for fluctuations in global prices, as the current priority is to ensure the availability of goods and safeguard food security.

Coordinating with shipping companies and international suppliers to accelerate the arrival of new shipments to the Port of Beirut and other ports, as well as land crossings.

Third: Ensuring the Smooth Operation of the Supply Chain

The ministry is coordinating with relevant administrations and authorities to ensure the continuity of the supply chain of essential goods from the moment they arrive in Lebanon until they reach consumers. Measures include:

Giving priority at ports to the unloading of vessels carrying food and essential goods.

Coordinating with the Port of Beirut administration, customs authorities, and other relevant bodies to facilitate and accelerate logistical and administrative procedures for clearing goods and releasing them from ports without delay.

Facilitating the movement of goods from storage centers to markets and points of sale across different regions.

Monitoring the wheat supply on a daily basis to ensure its delivery to mills and the timely availability of flour for bakeries.

Prioritizing the distribution of diesel fuel to vital institutions, particularly hospitals, bakeries, and production centers, according to prepared lists of their monthly needs.

Fourth: Monitoring Prices and Preventing Unjustified Inflation

The ministry has developed a dynamic database to monitor fuel and essential commodity prices in Lebanese markets almost in real time, enabling the detection of unjustified price increases and allowing for swift intervention to prevent the exploitation of current circumstances for illicit profits at the expense of citizens. The ministry is also working to activate the National Council for Price Policy, in accordance with the powers granted to the Minister of Economy and Trade as the council’s chairman.

Fifth: Strengthening Oversight Through the Consumer Protection Directorate

The Consumer Protection Directorate has intensified its field inspection campaigns across markets, warehouses, and points of sale throughout the country. Violators are being issued official reports and referred to the competent judiciary. The ministry will not hesitate to seal violating establishments when necessary, particularly in cases of hoarding, price manipulation, or refusal to sell goods.

Finally, the ministry called on citizens to contribute to protecting the market by reporting any violations through its electronic application (MoET Digital Services). It also urged importers and traders to submit their transactions through the approved digital platforms to accelerate processing, facilitate administrative procedures, and ensure transparency.

In conclusion, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to daily monitoring and coordination with relevant administrations, the private sector, and international partners, and to taking all necessary measures to protect food security, maintain market stability, and safeguard the interests of citizens.