The President of the Lebanese Bakers’ Union, Antoine Seif, participated via videoconference in the Arab Bread Forum, held in Tunisia on July 10 and 11. The event, which focused on challenges facing the grain and bakery sectors, brought together representatives from the Tunisian government, as well as food safety experts and bakery unions from across the Arab world.
Participants discussed strategies to reduce bread waste, enhance supply chains, and improve prospects for cereal production in the Arab region, particularly in light of climate change and challenges related to storage and distribution.
In his speech, Seif presented “a healthy, nutritious and innovative bread-making technique,” while highlighting Lebanon’s remarkable progress in the sector.
According to Seif, Lebanon is undergoing a revolution in the bread industry, marked by improvements in quality, food safety and nutritional value.
Thanks to advanced production technologies and the growing expertise of manufacturers, the sector has managed to lower costs and offer high-quality, preservative-free bread with a longer shelf life.
This progress has led to a significant reduction in food waste.
Seif also noted that these advancements have helped lower Lebanon’s wheat import bill, thereby easing pressure on the national economy.
He pointed to collaborations with Lebanese universities to develop flatbread recipes enriched with fiber and made from diverse grains rich in essential vitamins.
However, Seif acknowledged structural limitations, noting that Lebanon imports nearly 650,000 tons of wheat annually, while local production meets only 10% of demand.
Since 2024, the government has lifted subsidies on bread, while continuing to regulate quality standards, prices and specifications for wheat and flour through the Ministry of Economy.
Despite these reforms, food security remains a concern due to the lack of effective agricultural strategies, limited farmer support and the absence of modern wheat storage infrastructure.
Speaking on behalf of the Union, Seif urged authorities to accelerate the construction of modern silos and adopt a national strategy to boost Lebanon’s self-sufficiency in grain production.
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