Strategic wheat storage to be doubled

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is addressing the international food crisis by increasing its strategic storage of wheat. This is expected to cover one year’s worth of demand instead of just six months. The Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization (GSFMO) finalized its expansion projects in time to meet the demand, and said they were capable of meeting further demand.
Waleed Al-Kheraiji, director of GSFMO, said the organization had always kept a strategic storage of wheat to produce flour for six months. “GSFMO will increase its storage in the coming years to cover the demand for 12 months,” he said.
Al-Kheraiji said an operation plan was set to cover all bakeries’ and markets’ flour needs in addition to keeping storage as a backup for any shortage that might arise.
He added that a directive from the Ministry of Interior called for strict control of the border posts to prevent any flour smuggling out of the country. “This project is supported by the government and there is great cooperation with GSFMO and all departments. There is always coordination between us and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to update them with our approved distributors. This is to ensure that we cover the actual demand in bakeries and supermarkets,” he said.