The Lebanese Farmers Association complains about the increase in fuel taxes

The president of the Farmers' Association, Antoine Hoyek, denounced in a statement Tuesday the recent rise in diesel prices enacted by the government last week, which he deemed unjust, arguing that it harms the sector.

"The increase in diesel prices is a severe blow ... and raises producers' costs, in a context of recession affecting several vital sectors," he said, in a broader critique of what he considers to be superficial government support for Lebanese farmers.

“We are surprised by the organization of purely showy conferences, which offer no real benefit and are held in venues owned by individuals connected to the ministry involved in planning these events. This raises serious concerns about their usefulness and transparency,” said the President of the Association.

Last week, the government decided to increase fuel taxes and set a minimum price for several of them. These prices will not be able to fall below their February 8 level, the date of government formation. The surplus generated by this measure is intended to help fund aid for active and retired military personnel, according to the government.

On Tuesday morning, the Energy and Water Ministry published the new tariff schedule for fuels it regulates.

The prices of 95 and 98 octane gasoline remain fixed at 1,489,000 LL and 1,529,000 LL, respectively. The price of diesel decreased by 2,000 LL to reach 1,323,000 LL, while that of domestic gas dropped by 11,000 LL to 899,000 LL. Finally, the price of a ton of generator fuel oil is now $677.03, a decrease of $39.48.