logo
From scoop to spike: Why your next tub of ice cream may cost more

From scoop to spike: Why your next tub of ice cream may cost more

LBCI5 days ago

Report by Lea Fayad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian
If ice cream is your go-to comfort when it's hot or you're stressed, brace yourself—prices could soon "melt" your budget.
Supermarket ice cream may soon get more expensive due to a sharp increase in the global price of coconut oil, a key ingredient in many brands.
Coconut oil helps ice cream maintain its texture and freeze properly.
But the pressure isn't just coming from the dessert aisle. Demand for coconut oil is surging worldwide, fueled by its use in food products, cosmetics like shampoos and creams, and even as a biofuel alternative in some countries.
This spike has already impacted the prices of other goods such as coffee and cocoa, which are also viewed as commodities for investment.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

From scoop to spike: Why your next tub of ice cream may cost more
From scoop to spike: Why your next tub of ice cream may cost more

LBCI

time5 days ago

  • LBCI

From scoop to spike: Why your next tub of ice cream may cost more

Report by Lea Fayad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian If ice cream is your go-to comfort when it's hot or you're stressed, brace yourself—prices could soon "melt" your budget. Supermarket ice cream may soon get more expensive due to a sharp increase in the global price of coconut oil, a key ingredient in many brands. Coconut oil helps ice cream maintain its texture and freeze properly. But the pressure isn't just coming from the dessert aisle. Demand for coconut oil is surging worldwide, fueled by its use in food products, cosmetics like shampoos and creams, and even as a biofuel alternative in some countries. This spike has already impacted the prices of other goods such as coffee and cocoa, which are also viewed as commodities for investment.

IMF challenges Lebanese bank law over unequal payouts and public sector favoritism
IMF challenges Lebanese bank law over unequal payouts and public sector favoritism

LBCI

time5 days ago

  • LBCI

IMF challenges Lebanese bank law over unequal payouts and public sector favoritism

Report by Lea Fayad, English adaptation by Mariella Succar If you have three frozen bank accounts in three different Lebanese banks, each holding $100,000 or more, how much can you expect to recover? According to the Lebanese government's proposed bank restructuring plan, a single recovery cap would apply across all your accounts—meaning you would be eligible to reclaim a set amount from only one account. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) takes a different view. It recommends that the compensation cap apply to each account, not a consolidated total. If the government decides to reimburse $100,000, you will receive just that amount under its plan—while the IMF believes you should get $300,000. In its feedback, the IMF criticized the government's approach of aggregating accounts across banks, calling it 'not adequate.' The fund argues this method fails to meet international standards and undermines fairness. The IMF also raised concerns over the government's proposal to repay public sector deposits ahead of those of private depositors. Such preferential treatment, the fund warned, would violate global norms and disproportionately disadvantage individual account holders. Another key recommendation from the IMF is that the bank restructuring law must take precedence over all other legislation in Lebanon. Without that, the fund cautioned, the country risks facing legal and procedural challenges when the law is implemented. These are just a few of the 20 observations submitted by the IMF regarding the draft bank restructuring law, which was approved by the Cabinet and is now under review by Parliament. A subcommittee of the Finance and Budget Committee is currently studying the law in detail. The IMF's comments also addressed the proposed structure of the Higher Banking Commission, the role of Lebanon's Banking Control Commission, and the technical processes for assessing the financial standing of banks. The fund shared its observations directly with the Finance Committee, emphasizing that these changes are essential to restoring confidence in the banking system and ensuring long-term stability in Lebanon's financial sector. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will incorporate the recommended amendments and whether the IMF will ultimately approve a revised version of the law—or if Lebanon will still face a long road to financial recovery.

IMF mission in Beirut — will Lebanon seize its 'last chance'?
IMF mission in Beirut — will Lebanon seize its 'last chance'?

LBCI

time28-05-2025

  • LBCI

IMF mission in Beirut — will Lebanon seize its 'last chance'?

Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian A month has passed since the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in which Lebanon participated in an attempt to bridge the gap with the international community. The IMF mission is arriving in Beirut to follow up on Lebanon's progress, largely unconcerned with the narrow, often paralyzing details of domestic debates shaped by political protections and conflicting interests. What the IMF seeks in order to sign an agreement with Lebanon is assurance that the country can sustainably repay its debts—through accountable institutions and a state capable of attracting investment. So, what progress has Lebanon made in the past month? Since the adoption of the banking secrecy law in the form requested by the IMF, no tangible progress has been made on reforms. The draft law to restructure the banking sector remains stalled in discussions between a parliamentary subcommittee and the central bank governor. Meanwhile, the government is waiting for the central bank to submit the draft financial gap law so it can be reviewed and forwarded to Parliament. As has been the case since the financial crisis began, reform legislation is moving at a slow pace in Parliament. The situation is no better in government, despite its stated awareness that this may be its final opportunity to act. Several weeks ago, Lebanon received a governance and corruption assessment from the IMF, identifying weaknesses in various sectors—including customs, public financial management, the central bank, and others—and offering recommendations on governance and anti-corruption measures in these areas. The Lebanese government is now in the final stages of reviewing the IMF's recommendations and evaluating how they align with the local context through nine specialized teams. The state cannot afford further delay. Lebanon's commitment to these reforms will be a key condition for signing any agreement with the IMF.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store