Food Distributors in Lebanon: Supplying Restaurants and Retail
AdvisorLB Team
Food distributors are the backbone of the Lebanese food economy. They warehouse cold and dry goods, manage temperature-controlled fleets, and visit thousands of restaurants and shops on weekly cycles. They handle both local production and imports.
Product categories
- Frozen: meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, French fries, ready meals.
- Chilled: dairy, deli meats, fresh pasta.
- Dry: rice, pulses, oils, canned goods, spices.
- Beverages: water, soft drinks, juices, alcohol.
- Non-food: packaging, cleaning supplies, paper goods.
How distribution works
- Sales reps visit clients weekly to take orders and demo new products.
- Orders are picked overnight and delivered the next morning in refrigerated trucks.
- Payment terms vary: cash for small clients, 30–60 days for established restaurants and chains.
- Minimum order amounts apply to keep delivery routes economical.
Choosing a distributor
- Confirm temperature monitoring across the cold chain.
- Ask for HACCP and ISO 22000 certifications.
- Review delivery frequency for your location.
- Understand returns policy for damaged or near-expiry goods.