Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH – There is no shortage of flour provided to bakeries, according to the chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's bakery committee. Fayez Hamada said: “Flour is available all over Jeddah and its governorate in abundant quantities. “Reports claiming there is a flour shortage are not true.” He said the false reports could come from traders who sell flour for high prices to other places. The traders sometimes sell flour to unlicensed bakeries, especially the ones not registered with the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization, claimed Hamada. There are 1,200 registered bakeries and none of them has reported any shortages in flour, he added. “Our focus at the committee now is to ensure stable bread prices and weights. “We'll work with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to closely monitor all bakeries. “The committee and the ministry will design its 2015 campaign plan soon and will ensure all bakeries are visited regularly by inspectors.” The Kingdom has 2.25 million tons of flour, while the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization produces 835,000 sacks of grain a week to meet nationwide demand. Hamada said: “We'll deal with any crisis facing the flour sector and won't allow any shortages.”
