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Addis Gets 65pc of Imported Wheat |
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A lions share of the wheat the government is
importing to stabilize the price of grains will be
distributed in Addis Abeba. This was decided after
the first consignment of wheat - 135,096tn - reached
Addis Abeba early last week from the Port of
Djibouti.
Government has decided to distribute 65pc of the
total wheat in the capital, while 11 regional towns
will get the balance. According to the decision
951,000qtls of wheat out of the 1.5 million quintals
procured, which is expected to reach the country
within three months, is intended for residents of
Addis Abeba. The government has spent more than 60
million dollars for its procurement. The allocation
of 135,096tn has already begun.
Last weekend, Addis Abeba city officials had
conferred with consumer associations, Millers
Association, and with Flour and Bakers association
on ways of distributing the imported wheat.
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THE
NUMBERS |
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Government has given priority to
flour factories and bakeries,
allowing them to take 10,000qtl,
while millers and consumer
associations are permitted to buy up
to 1,000qtl, according to Fistum
Arega, head of the City Trade and
Industry Bureau.
Around 15 flour and bakers companies
are allowed to procure up to
10,000qtl.
That consumes 150,000qtl of the
imported wheat if all procure it.
“We need it and most of our members
have begun paying the enterprise for
it,” Tetemke Fetene, head of Flour
and Bakers Association secretariat
told Fortune.
Most factories under the association
have been affected by the shortage
of wheat in the country. This is
considered an opportunity to ease
the price of flour, which is now
around 880 Br per quintal. But it is
feared that 10,000qtl provide
consumption for only two days for
industries with high capacity. Flour
industries with the highest capacity
can consume 5,000qtl and the minimum
is 180qtl, according to Tetemke.
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951,000qtl
The amount of wheat allotted to Addis |
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549,000qtl
The rest amount from 1.5 million qtls set to
11 regional towns |
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350 Br
The price of a quintal of wheat |
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137.5
Br
The subsidy made by the government only for
the capital city |
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According to the recent report of the Central
Statistical Agency (CSA), the food inflation in
regional towns is worse than that of Addis Abeba.
In June, the country’s food inflation reached 78.3pc
compared to last year in the same season. The hike
is mainly due to a rise in the price indices of the
regions; Benishangul Gumuz (90.4pc), Southern
Nations and Nationals People’s Region (90pc), Tigray
(86pc), Harari (84.3pc), Oromia (84pc), Gambela (74
pc), Amhara (69pc) and Addis Abeba (64.3pc).
“We gave the majority share to Addis Abeba because
most flour factories are found in the capital and we
know the biggest market for flour is in Addis,” an
official at the Grain Trading Enterprise told
Fortune.
The city has been distributing 1.1 million quintals
of wheat, which was procured from the enterprise in
the last year at 180 Br a quintal. The imported
wheat this time is set to be sold for 350 Br per
quintal, more than double the previous price.
“The price rose sharply because of the global grain
shortage. The former was cheap because it was
procured from the local market years ago when the
market supplies were at a better price”, Fitsum told
Fortune.
The government spent 517.5 Br per a quintal of wheat
procured, subsidizing the cost by 137.5 Br per
quintal to ease the burden on the urban poor, who
are unable to purchase the commodity for 650 Br per
quintal from the market.
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By
YOHANNES ANBERBIR
FORTUNE
STAFF WRITER |
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