​In contrast, the year 2013 was marked by an increase in the prices of the majority of items. The products whose prices soared totaled 46 against 32 items at stable price rates and 22 at lower rates. In 2012, there was a rise in the prices of 60 commodities, a decline in the prices of 23 items and no fluctuation in the prices of the remaining 17 items. 

 

Dairy products, Tahina, canned tuna, cooking oil, rice, sugar, tissues, potatoes, bananas and cucumbers were among the items whose prices decreased. The prices of ketchup, butter, margarine and canned sardines remained unchanged while olive oil, powder milk, wheat, meat, cereals and lemons registered higher prices.

 

According to these prices, the cost of a nutritious basket of food for a family of four rose by LBP 160,000 to LBP 175,000 in 2014.

 

Table 1 shows the prices of all 100 food products in January 2015 compared to January 2014 and January 2013 and the percentage of change.