The Minister of Economy and Trade, Aamer Al-Bisat, affirms that securing wheat is a top priority and brooks no delay in the framework of achieving food security. He pointed out that the absence of silos after the Beirut port explosion has led to reliance on irregular storage methods, which exposes the country to serious risks in the event of any emergency security or logistical situation, and forces the state to import wheat urgently and at high cost, in addition to the difficulties associated with the distribution process.
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Al-Bisat clarified that this situation was the main driver for preparing a comprehensive strategic plan to secure wheat and grain stocks in the medium and long term, after the strategic void caused by the port explosion in the state’s ability to store.
In this context, the government has authorized the Minister of Economy to initiate procedures for building new wheat silos in the port of Beirut, a step with economic and social dimensions, but it has reopened a file of dispute with the families of the victims of the August 4, 2020 explosion, who refuse any action that affects the old silos before justice and accountability are achieved.
Al-Bisat affirmed that work on establishing the new silos will be done in parallel with a plan to transform the old silos into a tourist and memorial landmark, after the Council of Ministers decided in its session held on August 5, 2025 to abandon the decision to demolish the remaining wheat silos, which was a decision taken by the previous government.
The Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salameh, had announced the inclusion of the silos on the list of the general inventory of historical buildings, in response to a request from the families of the victims of the port explosion, which led to the suspension of any decision to demolish them and protect them as part of the urban heritage of the capital, Beirut.
Al-Bisat pointed out that Lebanon consumes more than 600,000 tons of wheat annually, while local production does not exceed 50,000 tons, which makes the country dependent on imports by a percentage ranging between 85 and 90%.
He explained that the new silos will be built in a separate location inside the port, away from the old silos that have been decided not to be demolished, within a comprehensive national vision that also includes Tripoli in the north and the Bekaa. He revealed that the government study aims to secure a strategic stock sufficient for six months, with a total storage capacity of 414,000 tons, of which 235,000 tons are in Beirut, while the remaining quantity is distributed between Tripoli and the Bekaa.
He pointed out that the old silos used to accommodate only about 150,000 tons, which illustrates the urgent need for modern facilities that are commensurate with the size of consumption and the existing risks.
Regarding implementation, Al-Bisat explained that the first phase will begin in Beirut, where the foundation stone is expected to be laid within months if things go according to plan, provided that this is preceded by a detailed technical and engineering study funded by the Kuwait Fund through a grant of approximately $1.5 million. As for the total cost of the project, it is estimated at about $250 million, of which $125 million is allocated to the Beirut silos, with promises of initial funding and work with friendly Arab countries to complete securing the funding.
Regarding the old silos, Al-Bisat stressed that dealing with them is not limited to the engineering aspect, but also includes social, moral and ethical dimensions, given their association with the memory of the port explosion. He pointed to a trend to transform them into a memorial and tourist landmark, similar to global experiences, with the creation of a garden to commemorate the victims.
However, this option faces challenges, most notably the high cost and the environmental problem resulting from the presence of about 40,000 tons of damaged wheat inside the silos, as well as concerns related to the safety of the building, despite the existence of initial engineering assurances about its durability. He explained that a ministerial committee is working in cooperation with specialized institutions to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and study possible options, with the likelihood of resorting to an international tender to implement the project.
Al-Bisat concluded by emphasizing that the government is keen to involve the families of the victims of the port explosion in the course of the discussion, pending the completion of the judicial process, considering that preserving memory does not conflict with the need to secure food security for the Lebanese, but rather forms part of the state’s responsibility.
