Possible Increase in Wheat Prices Next Week

A report by field observers of daily prices indicated that several notifications were received by senior importers, which affirmed that there will be price increases in wheat among other basic foods over the next week.

The report submitted to the Trade and Industry Ministry, Sana'a province office, pointed out there is a tendency among senior importers to raise the prices of food stuffs, namely wheat, flour and rice, without any legal or economic justification.

It also stressed that some traders try to create a price crisis in an effort to exploit this for political ends, hinting that big quantities of wheat and flour have been stockpiled by senior traders to monopolize them and increase their prices later on.

Despite the different government promises to control markets and wheat prices, everything turned to be inauthentic and prices rose at an average of 300 percent, over the last year.

In an attempt to face the current crisis, Yemen Economic Corporation has tried to supply wheat at prices less than market prices and long rows of people were seen on Saturday and Sunday lining before the corporation offices seeking to get low-priced wheat.

Dozens of locals complained they have been unable to get a sack of wheat and claim that most quantities go to rich people, officers or their relatives. A large number of them were waiting for over six hours, and still received nothing.