Livestock farmers warn of higher chicken and meat prices amid flour price hike

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Livestock farmers have raised concerns over the new prices increases by Bahrain Flour Mills, which they say will force many of them out of business, leading to higher meat and poultry prices.

This is going to negatively impact Bahrain’s food security, farmers warn, saying livestock sector cannot withstand a price increase of 100% in one go.

Bran flour prices of Bahrain Flour Mills Company, farmers say, hiked 100% from BD 2.2 to BD 4.4 for 50kg bag.

It's worth noting that a meeting last week between the government, the Shura Council and the Council of Representative members, had postponed price increases for unsubsidised products to three months for further study and discussions. 

Sources confirm that on thursday farmers told a Parliamentary Services Committee on the need to regulate bran flour sales at previous prices, ensuring no waste of government subsidies.

Bahrain Flour Mills had told the Daily Tribune that their price increases will have zero impact on subsidised products.

The company said it has maintained subsidised prices for accredited popular bakeries. Farmers, sources say, are also concerned about black marketeers who are trying to make the most out of the situation.

Some individuals are buying large quantities of bran flour, known locally as "shwar" and hoarding it, then reselling it at inflated prices, they claim, calling for increased oversight and stringent actions.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Al Awadhi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Services and Environment Committee, confirmed that the committee listened to livestock farmers and traders on thursday on ways to overcome the price hikes, particularly bran flour.

It earlier reported that the three month deferment, based on a proposal by the Council of Representatives speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, faced opposition from some members, who wanted to cancel the price increases ranging from 35% to 100% across most of its flour products.