The price race precedes fasting people … vegetables, fruits and oils rise before Ramadan

“With the approaching month of Ramadan, the markets are witnessing an unjustified increase in food prices, especially agricultural products and vegetables, which is unacceptable and exceeds inflation rates, market mechanisms and legitimate profit.” With these firm expressions, the Chefs Syndicate started its statement, warning of the outrageous wave of high costs that hit the Lebanese markets with the approaching month of the holy month. The union emphasized that this height is not only due to natural factors, but it is a direct result of chaos and the greed of some merchants and the absence of the state from its role in control and organization.










A worsening crisis: between weather and markets
In light of the difficult economic conditions experienced by the Lebanese, the market is witnessing a noticeable increase in the prices of vegetables and food, amid conflicting justifications between merchants, farmers and economic observers. The frost wave that struck Lebanon, especially the storm “Adam”, threw its weight on the agricultural sector, where the strong winds and heavy rains destroyed many of the plastic houses, especially in the Akkar area, which led to great losses in the crops.

An economic expert told “Lebanon 24” that the lack of quantities in the markets, resulting from low temperatures and the frost wave that was not accompanied by sufficient amounts of rain, directly affected the abundance of local agricultural production before entering the month of Ramadan. The prices of some basic vegetables that exist on a daily basis on the Ramadan table increased significantly, as the price of a kilo of cucumber reached 150 thousand Lebanese pounds, while other crops such as tomatoes, radish, parsley, lettuce, and mint witnessed great increases.

On the other hand, the head of the Food Importers Syndicate, Hani Bhasali, tried to reassure the Lebanese that food commodities are available in large quantities that exceed the consumer need during Ramadan. He explained that the importers deliberately diversified the sources of import to secure different options that suit consumers, noting that the prices are relatively stable with slight changes related to the global market. However, despite these reassurances, prices indicate that in addition to vegetables and fruits, oil prices increased globally by 15% due to several factors, which was reflected in the Lebanese markets, which already suffer from the deterioration of the purchasing power of citizens.

The source indicated to “Lebanon 24” that international companies took advantage of the increase in oil prices with the approaching month of Ramadan, as they imposed an increase on the wholesale price at once.
He pointed out that companies can take advantage of this matter in preparation for another price raising, despite the global decline in raw material prices.
In parallel, the Consumer Protection Association had indicated in its last statement that it recorded an increase in the prices of 15 types of vegetables at an average of 7.5 percent, and the price of 12 types of fruits at a rate of 10.7 percent. While the price of 11 types of meat increased by 18.8 percent, and 21 types of dairy and cheese at an average of 8.2 percent. The prices of 20 types of home and personal materials also increased by 6.6 percent and 43 species of canned, oils and grains at a rate of 5.8 percent. While the prices of 9 varieties of bread increased by 3.6 percent during the fourth chapter of the year 2024.

In conjunction with this crisis, observers of the Ministry of Economy and Trade – the Consumer Protection Authority continued to implement their inspection tours on markets and shops, where records were registered against some of the violating merchants. In the town of Kfarman, one of the owners of the vegetable shop was fined for not. Prices are clearly, while other dealers were issued to ask them to adhere to the regulations in force, especially with the approaching month of Ramadan.

In the south, the situation does not differ much, as prices have increased significantly amid the suffering of farmers who have become unable to invest their lands due to harsh climatic factors. “Agriculture is suspended, our lands have become neglected and no soil examination has yet.”