Saudi- Bakeries allay fears of bread shortage

(MENAFN- Arab News) Despite concerns over the growing bread demand during the midterm exam season authorities have assured consumers that there won't be bread shortage.

Fayez Hamada chairman of the bakeries committee in Jeddah told Arab News about the overwhelming demand at local bakeries which he claimed has reached almost a 100 percent in all establishments.

However Hamada confirmed that all bakeries in the city are abiding by the regular weights of bread loaves and are selling exactly the same product as before.

Citizens have nothing to worry about as there's no flour shortage for the licensed ovens Hamada said especially after the stability in prices the Kingdom has experienced in recent months.

Rumors about a flour crisis could have been spread by some sellers who are trying to sell it to unauthorized bakeries for higher prices. According to Hamada some bakeries sell their excess flour to unauthorized establishments.

The committee in coordination with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce will enhance the market control to maintain the weight and price of the loaf of bread while making sure the price of the flour stays within reasonable limits.

Hamada assured the public about the abundance of flour as the government has up to 2.25 million tons of flour in reserve. The Kingdom's silos are producing 835000 bags of flour which covers the weekly need of the all the Saudi cities.