In Lebanon: There are no significant increases in prices, and international reports are misleading

The Food Importers Syndicate in Lebanon, headed by Hani Bohsali, confirmed that what is being circulated through some media outlets and social networking sites about significant increases in food prices does not reflect the actual reality of Lebanese markets, stressing that the situation does not call for concern or exaggeration.

Bohsali explained, in an official statement, that “reports issued on food price inflation rates are conflicting even among the international authorities themselves, as some of these reports publish high and inaccurate rates, which are not based on field facts nor on real import data.”

He added: “From our position on the ground, we confirm that there have been no significant or comprehensive increases in prices. It is true that some goods, especially imported from Europe, witnessed a slight increase as a result of the rise in the euro exchange rate to about $1.20, and as a result of the global rise in the prices of raw materials, in addition to the high operational costs in Lebanon. However, these increases remain very limited.”

Bohsali pointed out that the union carefully follows the movement of prices “to avoid any violations by some merchants, especially since supermarkets and major companies in Lebanon do not adopt a policy of random price increases, but rather witness strong competition between them that keeps prices within their minimum limits.”

He believed that the increase that was recorded between 1 and 3% during the months of July and August, which are among the most active months for tourism, is considered normal and expected due to the temporary high demand for food commodities, stressing that it is not worth the hype that has been raised around it.

Bohsali concluded by reassuring consumers that prices “returned to normal in September and October, and are now within the lowest margin,” calling on everyone to stay away from exaggerated rhetoric that only serves to spread chaos in the markets.