Lebanese Wheat Stuck at Port Amid Export License Delays

The National Union of Lebanese Farmers is facing a crisis at the port in Lebanon. According to Ibrahim Al-Tarishishi, the head of the union, more than 40 trucks loaded with over 1,200 tons of wheat have been stuck inside the customs yard since Monday.

The farmers had obtained export licenses from the Ministry of Economy to send the wheat to Jordan, but the ministry has continued to delay and postpone completing transactions and giving final permission for the trucks. This has led to congestion inside the port and disrupted the sale and export process.

Al-Tarishishi expressed frustration with the situation, stating that 'the Minister of Economy does not take the wheat to buy it and supply it to restaurants, nor does he let the farmer sell it abroad, even though he gave him an export permit.' He questioned the reason for these measures against wheat farmers and accused the ministry of inventing obstacles to prevent the disposal of production and allowing its export.

The union head emphasized that disrupting the disposal of wheat means disrupting the livelihoods of farmers. The quantities of wheat have remained piled up since last year, while this year's crop is now available, and farmers are on the verge of a new planting season.