Lebanon’s poultry sector sets ambitious strategy for national development

Saturday 19 July 2025 - 15:45

The Lebanese Poultry Syndicate has launched an ambitious plan aimed at transforming the national poultry sector, a major contributor to Lebanon’s food security and rural employment. The initiative was officially presented during a conference held at the American University of Beirut (AUB) earlier this week, bringing together key government and industry stakeholders.

The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, Minister of Industry Joe Issa Khoury, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bsat, AUB President Fadlo Khoury, and other officials. Speaking at the conference, William Boutros, President of the Poultry Syndicate, highlighted the economic weight of the sector: “The industry employs around 36,000 people both directly and indirectly, distributed across more than 2,000 farms and 60 processing facilities.”

The syndicate’s proposed National Poultry Strategy aims to boost production capacity, improve veterinary services, enhance food safety standards, and reduce Lebanon’s reliance on poultry imports. Officials emphasized the need for a unified vision that integrates the efforts of the public sector, academia, and private investors.

Boutros also underscored the importance of supporting small- and medium-scale farmers, ensuring access to finance, and modernizing farm infrastructure to meet international standards. The strategy seeks not only to meet domestic demand but also to open potential export channels, especially to Gulf countries.

With Lebanon facing ongoing economic challenges, agriculture — and especially the poultry sector — is increasingly seen as a strategic pillar for recovery, self-sufficiency, and job creation.