Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Lebanon showed relative stability from 2018 to 2020, with volume hovering near 500 тыс. т. Production averaged around 470 тыс. т, while imports supplied an additional 30-31 тыс. т annually.

In 2021, the Ministry of Economy and Trade negotiated an increase in the price of the standard bread bundle after reviewing raw-material costs and the exchange rate, a move that coincided with market volume holding steady at 494 тыс. т. The following year, concerns over wheat-import disruptions from Ukraine – which supplied about 60% of Lebanon's grain – prompted the government to monitor strategic reserves and diversify milling contracts, helping to maintain supply and support a market volume of 496.6 тыс. т.

Market volume expanded to 502.6 тыс. т in 2023. In 2024, authorities fixed a maximum price for wheat flour and introduced a new bread tariff after the previous subsidy ended, continuing the pattern of direct government intervention to manage costs and availability.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased after two years of decline. In 2020, production reached 468.0 K t, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 466.4 K t, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 at 4 213 t and fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 276 t, representing a 15-fold difference. In 2020, exports dropped sharply by 58.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 84.1%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 81.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Lebanon's wheat and meslin flour and cereals were Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq, accounting for 28.3%, 28.3%, and 15.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 72.0% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 6.6-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Lebanon exported 252 K $ US of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, marking a dramatic decline of 57.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 670 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 64.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 89.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq consistently led as the top destinations for Lebanon's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms, accounting for 24.1%, 23.5%, and 17.4% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries represented 64.9% of total export flows in value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Lebanon in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 28 998 t, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 4.6%. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 13%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017–2020, Turkey, Ukraine, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Lebanon's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind, together accounting for 65.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from abroad declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value totaled 9 629 K $ US, indicating a notable year-over-year decrease of 23.0%. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 13 723 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, France, and the Netherlands were the main sources for Lebanon's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms, accounting for 42.9%, 10.3%, and 10.2% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 63.4% of total import flows in value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Lebanon in value, 2017-2020