Milk for children, a product that is rare in Lebanon
Does children powder powder risk disappearing completely from the shelves soon?Since the economic crisis has intensified, more and more parents of young children have complained of having to tour pharmacies to buy milk from their offspring.In question, according to some, the storage of these products by suppliers in order to resell it more expensive, when the dollar rate has increased on the black market.Faced with this situation, many households are now storing products at home, at the risk of fueling the vicious circle of the shortage.
Philippine Khoury, 35 -year -old mother, had to go this week to 5 capital pharmacies before finding a box of milk for her one -year -old son."There was no box in any pharmacy.There was only one box left in the fifth establishment in which I went.We clearly feel that some products are starting to miss, ”she sighs."I hadn't done any stocks before, but I think I'm going to get it as soon as possible.You can't afford to miss milk when you have a child, ”says Philippine."Before, I could not find the brand I was looking for, but there were still other brands of milk available.This is the first time that I feel that there is really a problem, "she said.Thursday, the Ministry of the Economy announced that it had searched in several warehouses belonging to children's milk importers.The ministry indicates that it has drawn up tickets for "merchandise monopolization".
Mohammad Abu Haïdar, Director General of the Ministry, indicates that he has noticed that some companies sell less milk than last year, when they have products."The excuse of these suppliers is that they have not yet been paid by the Bank of Lebanon (BDL).I understand their situation, but I cannot accept that children can lack milk.It is an essential product.Whatever the cause, the situation is critical, since it is at the food security of children, "he said.
For memory
Stockage et pénuries de médicaments : le cercle vicieux s’installe
A pharmacist from the suburbs of Beirut confirms that certain categories of children's milk is missing on the shelves."It is milk for children aged 2 to 3 years that is the most difficult to find.Except that it is not subsidized by BDL, which means that suppliers can request the prices they want.So I do not understand why they would store it, "she analyzes, under the cover of anonymity."We are not lacking milk for the youngest, but we receive the drop-down boxes," adds the pharmacist.Note that children's milk under one year is subsidized by the Ministry of Health at the rate of 1,585 LL for a dollar, while that for children between 1 and 2 years old is supported by the Ministry of the'Economy at the rate of 3,900 ll for a dollar.
"I already had my stock"
Faced with the risk of shortage and the rapid increase in prices, many parents are storing milk at home, but also diapers.Béatrice Harb, 37 -year -old stylist, began to get supplies from the popular uprising of October 2019."I made a stock of diapers for a year and a half.Then I bought milk for six months.I still have two months, "explains Béatrice, who is the mother of a 2 and a half year old daughter and a one -year -old boy.
"There was a time when there was no more milk nowhere, but I already had my stock," she said.Béatrice admits that after having traveled a large number of pharmacies, from north to south, she has decided to get supplier directly to the supplier."I'm very afraid of arriving at a time when there will be no more milk.Already the prices have doubled.So I directly contacted the supplier.But I have to pay attention to the expiration dates.I am waiting for the new arrivals to restock myself, "she explains.
In addition to individuals who store at home, Zouhair Berro, president of the consumer protection association, explains that "traders also store many products because the BDL grant program could soon change".
"There is no product that is missing in Lebanon, but there are many monopolies," he sighs."There is certainly less imports with the crisis, but all the products are there," said Mr..Berro, who warns against the risk of seeing the products coming to expire, "which makes problems fear problems in terms of health security"."There is a storage, while waiting to have the new dollar rates and sell more expensive.Lebanese importers make very high profits, ”he denounces.
A "that works badly" system
Hani Bohsali, president of the union of food importers, denies any storage from suppliers in order to resell at higher prices."The merchant who obtains a BDL subsidy to buy products must commit to selling this goods at a specific price.He cannot therefore change the prices as he pleases.The big companies comply with it and want to preserve their reputation, "he said at the Olj.
M.Bohsali denounces a consumer rush to products, while saying to understand the motivations of Lebanese."Many people store children's milk at home.Can we really talk about shortage when you know that the majority buy five boxes instead of one?At the same time, I understand that people are afraid in current circumstances and decide to get their supplies, but we must not throw the blame on importers, "he said."We have neither the means nor the credits to import more than that.The shortage is explained by excess in terms of customer demand as well as by the difficulties that importers face.»»
Importers must wait for the BDL to reimburse them before putting their goods for sale."It is often necessary to wait two months for the BDL to pay. Or le commerçant ne peut pas vendre s’il ne garantit pas le paiement de la Banque centrale»», ajoute M.Bohsali, before concluding: "It is a whole system that works badly and it is the consumer who pays the broken pots.»»
