Despite significant exports Lebanon food insecurity level remains high

A study by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon published in Al Mustaqbal today, showed that the Lebanese food and beverage exports represented 18% of the overall Lebanese exports for the year 2017. This places the food and beverage industry as the second largest exporting sector in Lebanon after the jewelry sector. The food sector produces a diverse varieties of goods, including, alcoholic drinks, pastry, sweets, olive oil, pickles, canned foods, spices, fruits and canned and processed vegetables. According to the results of the study which appeared in the Byblos Bank Weekly Monitor, the food and beverage exports recorded USD 500.2 million during 2017, rising by 1.9% from 2016, while the import of similar products recorded USD 1.9 billion, with no remarkable change from the past year. The trade deficit in the above sector shrank slightly to USD 1.36 billion during 2017. According to the study, Syria was the main destination of made-in-Lebanon food products, with exports to neighboring state standing at USD 82.8 million, (representing around 16%) of the total exports of the year 2017, followed by Saudi Arabia USD 61.9 m (12.3%), and then Iraq with USD 39.5 m (7.8%). Meanwhile, France was the main country of import of food and beverage products into Lebanon, amounting to USD 147.5 million (representing 7.9%) of the total imports to the country, followed by Turkey with USD 311 million (7.1%) and then Saudi Arabia with USD 96.9 million (5.2%). While it underlined the competitive advantages Lebanon boasts, the study pointed out to poor infrastructure, weak water management systems, inadequate and high cost energy supplies, which constitute key challenges to the competitiveness of the sector. (Al Mustaqbal, August 28, 2018) 
 

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