Faced with the establishment of informal capital controls, imports to Lebanon have sharply declined. Thus, 11.3 billion dollars of goods were imported into Lebanon, a drop of 41.2%. Paradoxically, exports also fell by 5% to $ 3.5 billion.
The trade balance therefore remains negative at 7.8 billion dollars, a deficit which increased by 49.9% compared to 2019 when it reached only 5.8 billion dollars.
Imports of leather and fur clothing, as well as vehicles (about -62%), were more affected. Imports from Kuwait are also in free fall (-66.1%), as are those from Japan (-63%).
On the export side, we see an increase in vehicles of 157.1%, products of animal origin (+ 78.3%), audiovisual products (+ 40%) or even antiques (+ 37.5%). Agricultural food products are also up 33.1%.
As for our trading partners, exports to Algeria are down 45.2%, as are those to Syria (-43.7%) or France (-37.7%). Exports to Italy and the United States are up 45.2% and 43.5% respectively.
