More than 40 wheat trucks stuck... What is happening in the factory?

The head of the National Union of Lebanese Farmers, Ibrahim Al-Tarishishi, announced that "more than 40 trucks loaded with wheat have been stopped inside the customs yard at the port since Monday, despite obtaining export licenses to Jordan from the Ministry of Economy."

In a statement, he said: "Although the Ministry of Economy issued the export licenses, it continues to postpone and delay completing transactions and giving final permission for the trucks, without knowing the reasons," noting that "this delay has led to the disruption of the trucks and caused congestion inside the port."

He clarified that "some buyers from Jordan had come to purchase the wheat, but the current procedures hindered the sale and export process," asking: "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," and said: "Is the requirement that we remain waiting for Ukrainian wheat? The mills do not buy, and the Lebanese farmer is prevented from exporting his crop, and we remain waiting to see if Ukrainian wheat will arrive or not, and if the sea will open or not. This matter is unacceptable and rejected."

He stressed that "disrupting the disposal of wheat means disrupting the livelihoods of farmers, especially since 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," pointing out that "the mills either buy wheat at prices they desire, which are 20% less than the global price equivalent to $40, or refrain from buying it, while the farmer finds himself facing a problem in disposing of his crop, even some merchants."

He said: "There are a hundred disasters above our heads, as if it is being said to us that wheat cultivation has become a thing of the past, and that no one should plant wheat. Instead of telling farmers to plant, export, and sell your crop at good prices, and we will receive from you at encouraging and subsidized prices, what we are experiencing is exactly the opposite: left without official support, and worse still, inventing obstacles to prevent the disposal of production and allowing its export, as if the requirement is to destroy wheat farms as is currently happening," affirming "his respect and love for the Minister of Economy, but questioning the reason for these measures against wheat farmers."

He concluded by noting that "the trucks are still present at the port, numbering 40 trucks loaded with more than 1,200 tons of wheat ready for export to Jordan, possessing export permits, but we do not know the reason for their detention."