Government fixes wheat and flour prices [Archives:2007/1079/Front Page]
By: Fatima al-Ajel
SANA'A, August 22 ) The Yemeni Economic Corporation has for the last week been providing flour and wheat in all governorates at lower prices than those of public markets.
The government fixed the prices for wheat and the flour at YR3, 700 for a 50kg bag: some traders were asking up to YR5, 500 for the same size bag.
The Yemeni Economic Corporation provided trucks from which to sell the wheat and flour in public neighborhoods that are far from the corporation's headquarters. The fixed prices were displayed on the trucks to announce to the citizens the decreased prices. Distribution trucks can be found in five areas throughout Sana'a. “We received some of the local councils' trustees in some areas asking to provide their areas with the wheat and flour as a service for the public,” Ali Jaerallah, sales manager for the Yemeni Economic Corporation, explained.
The trucks are distributed in different areas according to the size of the population. T “The trucks are available until we make sure all the people get enough wheat. The sellers work from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.,” Jaerallah mentioned.
According to Saba news agency, the general manager of the corporation, Brigadier Ali Al-Kuhlani, reported that the corporation along with its branches, provide consumers with flour and wheat via direct selling centers distributed in all the governorates of the republic.
Earlier President Saleh had criticized the government for being unable to stabilize prices of wheat and flour. He therefore approved the new operation, which will cost $2 billion. He granted the Economic Corporation additional funds, valued at YR3 billion, to import wheat in order to meet consumer demand.
Al-Kuhlani also reported that strict measures are being taken against some employees and general managers who manipulated and worked against the rules. Additionally, some managers are under investigation.
A report published by the Ministry of Trade quoted that the United States Wheat Association stated that the current prices for wheat stand at $253 per ton, compared to $150 per ton last year, while shipping costs increased from $50 dollars per ton last year to $92 dollars this year.
The ministry issued a statement reporting, “The price of US wheat reached to an unprecedented level. It is currently roughly at $342 for one ton reaching to the Yemeni ports.”
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