Lebanese Flock And Attack Bakeries As Subsidized Wheat Products Go Short
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Roshan Amiri
- . July 28, 2022
- . Update: July 28, 2022 6:35 pm
Lebanon–In a sad turn of events, Lebanese have attacked bread and bakery shops where the supply of subsidized bread has also been limited. Lebanon is facing its worst economic crises, that has been exasperated by the Ukraine war and limited supply of wheat.
Wheat is a staple grain used to produce bread and related products. Due to its limited wheat production, the country heavily depends on wheat imports. In 2015, Lebanon imported 625,661 tons of wheat with a value of $142.52M compared to 615,416 tons with a value of $176.68M back in 2014. The imported volume of wheat exceeded the 450,000 metric tons mark probably due to the influx of Syria refugees into the country.
Apart from dearth of wheat, there is the added menace of flour mafia that is smuggling subsidized commodities meant for Lebanese consumption, into parts of Syria. This is just another reason why many Lebanese have now opted to buy other bakery products, some priced at 40,000 Lebanese pounds ($1.5) for 10 thin loaves of bread.
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Long queues of desperate civilians in sweltering heat, broke into fist fights where military intervention became a need of the hour. The government has tried to pacify a violent crowd by saying that a huge consignment of wheat is expected by next week.
Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam has spoken to the media and said, “Around 49,000 tons of wheat are expected to arrive in Lebanon by the end of this week. Hopefully the ships will arrive faster. The crisis is the result of flour being stolen from our country.”
Salam has not denied the theft and smuggling being at play; to which netizens have criticized the government on social media and blamed them for not acting well in time.
“A crisis cell headed by the economy ministry will be formed and a new mechanism will be set up for distributing wheat and flour fairly, and prosecuting those creating the crisis.” Lebanon’s inability to secure US dollars to continue subsidizing medicines, wheat, and fuel, on Wednesday resulted in petrol prices rising by 14,000 Lebanese pounds to reach 617,000 pounds per 20 liters.
