In its assessment of the impact of the Corona epidemic on food price inflation in the Middle East and North Africa, the World Bank indicated that the prices of all food commodities included in its basket in Lebanon increased during the period from February 14, 2020 to February 3, 2022.

The World Bank calculated the change in food prices in 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region across five main food categories: starches, dairy products, fruits, meats and vegetables.

The bank indicated that the price of fresh or frozen beef in Lebanon increased by 137.5% between February 14, 2020 and February 3, 2022, which represents the highest increase in the price of this food product in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In addition, the price of potatoes in Lebanon increased by 60.2% in the covered period, which represents the highest increase in the price of this food product in the region.

Also, the price of cheese in Lebanon increased by 53% between February 14, 2020 and February 3, 2022, which constitutes the highest increase in the prices of this food product in the Middle East and North Africa region, compared to an increase rate of 8% regionally, excluding Lebanon.

Also, the price of liquid milk in Lebanon increased by 50.7% in the covered period, which represents the second highest growth rate in the price of this product in the region.

In parallel, the price of bread and other products sold in bakeries in Lebanon increased by 34% between February 14, 2020 and February 3, 2022, which constitutes the second highest increase in the Middle East and North Africa region after Syria by 109.8%.

Also, the price of rice increased by 11.3% in the covered period, which constitutes the sixth highest growth rate in the price of this food product regionally after Syria, Yemen, Qatar, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.