Lebanon is facing an unmatched food security crisis, driven by a combination of economic instability, escalating conflict, and structural deficiencies in agriculture and market systems. These challenges are analyzed in the report, (SPECIAL REPORT 2024 FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SECURITYASSESSMENT MISSION TOTHE LEBANESE REPUBLIC), conducted in July 2024, by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP); and they have left nearly one-fourth of the Lebanese population in acute food insecurity, with enduring effects on vulnerable communities, particularly refugees. The combination of limited agriculture productivity, high import dependency, inflation, and disrupted supply chains has worsened the situation, creating an urgent need for both immediate and long term solutions.
The economic crisis that began in 2019 has been a key driver of food insecurity in Lebanon. The collapse of the financial system and severe currency depreciation has significantly reduced household purchasing power. The WFP reported that the survival minimum expenditure basket (SMEB) for a family of five had risen to USD 450 by July 2024, a staggering 190% increase compared to March 2021. This increase reflects the combined effects of inflation, rising global food prices, and the removal of government subsidies on essential goods. An estimated 1.26 million people (23% of the population) were facing acute food insecurity as of mid-2024 and a further deterioration is expected up till mid-November, before the ceasefire announcement, due to the escalation of the conflict that has moved beyond southern governorates.
Lebanon’s heavy reliance on imports exacerbates the crisis. Imports account for approximately 50% of the country’s food supply, making Lebanon highly vulnerable to international market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. The FAO estimated the imports requirement for wheat in the 2024/25 marketing year at 664,000 tonnes, with total cereal and potato imports projected to cover over 88% of national utilization needs. However, rising freights costs and ongoing conflict have strained the country’s ability to secure these imports, raising concerns about critical shortages.
The domestic agriculture sector, which accounts for less than 6% of GDP, has struggled to meet national food demands. In 2024, adverse weather conditions, labor shortages, and conflict related disruptions reduced staple cereal production to 113,700 tonnes, 40% below average. Similarly, potato production fell by 8%, and pulse production remained stagnant at 4,900 tonnes. Intensifying these issues is the overuse of agrochemicals, which had degraded soil quality and harmed water resources, limiting the potential for increased agriculture output.
Figure: Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, 2024
IPC food insecurity trend figures, September 2022–September 2024 (number and percentage of people)
Source: Copied from the WFP and FAO report, Lebanon IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analyses, 2022–2024 https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-analysis/en/.
Lebanese households have responded to these challenges by adopting various coping mechanisms. According to the FAO, 76% of households reported employing medium to high food related coping strategies, such as reducing meal portions or substituting with lower quality food items. Critical livelihood strategies, including the sale of productive assets and reliance on credit, have become alarmingly common, particularly among low-income families.
The intensification of conflict since September 2024 has severely impacted market functionality, especially in southern and eastern regions. By mid-October 2024, the WFP reported that 44% of shops in South Lebanon, 69% in the southern suburbs of Beirut, and 82% in Nabatieh were non-operational. These disruptions have exacerbated food shortages and triggered localized price surges, with the cost of food baskets increasing by 4.5% in just a few weeks. Supply chains have remained functional in less affected areas, but their resilience is under significant strain.
Lebanon is home to a large population of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, many of whom face acute food insecurity, over 50% of Syrian refugees depend on low quality diets and humanitarian aid, while Palestinian refugees experience similar challenges. These populations are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on informal labor markets and decreasing assistance programs. While critical to acknowledge, their struggles form part of a broader national crisis that affects both refugees and host communities.
Addressing Lebanon’s food security crisis requires coordinated efforts at both the national and international levels. Immediate actions should focus on stabilizing food markets, ensuring uninterrupted supply chains, and expanding humanitarian assistance to affected communities. In the long term, investments in agriculture, such as improving irrigation systems, providing subsidized inputs, and promoting sustainable farming practices are essential. Strengthening social safety nets and addressing income inequality will also be critical in building resilience against future shocks.
By: Jana Boumatar
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