Lebanon seeks alternative wheat sources, bans some food exports amid war in Ukraine

Lebanon’s Minister of Trade George Boujikian ordered at this time an export ban on “foodstuffs” which are manufactured in Lebanon. The choice is efficient instantly, the official Nationwide Information Company reported. The outlet didn’t specify which meals shall be topic to the measure. 

Lebanese Financial system Minister Amin Salam additionally mentioned at this time that the nation is searching for to import bread and cooking oil to stave off meals shortages. To this finish, Lebanon has acquired assurances from the USA, India and Argentina that they’ll have the ability to present the wanted meals objects, the minister mentioned. He added that Lebanon presently has bread reserves to final two months, the Lebanese information outlet Advert-Diyar reported. 

Why it issues:

Lebanon receives greater than 80% of its wheat from Ukraine, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted fears there may quickly be bread shortages in Lebanon. 

Lebanon shouldn’t be alone on this regard. Egypt can also be searching for different wheat sources because of the battle. Many Center Japanese states additionally depend on Ukraine and Russia for sunflower oil. The battle has severely disrupted commodity exports in Ukraine. 

What’s subsequent: 

The foodstuffs export ban will stay in place till additional discover, in accordance with the Nationwide Information Company. 

A Lebanese official advised The Nationwide at this time that Lebanon can have “actual meals safety issues inside a month or two.” 

It’s unclear what affect the export ban can have on Lebanon’s meals provide. Meals shouldn’t be certainly one of Lebanon’s important exports.