The Lebanese Ministry of Economy warned, on Saturday, against monopolizing foodstuffs, against the backdrop of the continuing crisis between Russia and Ukraine, and its repercussions on the country’s food security.
Earlier on Saturday, the Lebanese circulated a video on the communication sites showing that a food store was hiding vegetable oil, in order to monopolize it and sell it later at high prices.
This came one day after Prime Minister Najib Mikati called during a government session to “take precautionary measures to prevent the country from falling into a food crisis, in case the war between Russia and Ukraine prolonged.”
Commenting on the video, the Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, asked the Consumer Protection Directorate to verify what was circulated on social media, according to a ministry statement seen by The Eastern Herald .
The ministry said in its statement: “After the detection of a team of its monitors, it was found that the owner of the store had re-displayed the oil cans for sale to the public.”
It warned “against any manipulation in sales operations or deliberately monopolizing foodstuffs in order to achieve illegal profits,” stressing that it will take deterrent measures against anyone who tampers with the food security of the Lebanese.
Salam had confirmed in a press conference, Thursday, that the country’s stockpile of wheat is sufficient for about 45 days, and that the government contracted to purchase additional quantities, calling on his citizens not to rush to purchase.
Lebanon imports between 50 and 60 percent of its wheat needs from Ukraine and Russia, in addition to vegetable oils and sugar, which are essential components of the Lebanese diet.
