Milk and semolina prices not to increase

Agriculture Minister

Milk and semolina prices not to increase

El Khabar, 25 december 2007

Agriculture Minister Mr. Said Barkat has pointed out that the State is to maintain subsidizing staple food, thus prices of milk, semolina and flour prices will not increase. He further mentioned that seeds provision is in a good condition.
In the margin of his meeting with the sector’ executives , Mr. Said Barkat announced in a press conference that the Agriculture Ministry is to set more organisation on its departments in order to control prices and reach food security notably for the middle class.
Concerning wheat price surge in international markets, the Minister said that discussions are undertaken with the Agriculture National Chamber while proposals about state subsidy rise have been submitted to the Cabinet in order to approaching local prices with international ones to avoid import. In this context, Mr. Barket mentioned that State subsidy has encouraged enlarging fields devoted to wheat cultivation.
As far as milk crisis is concerned, Agriculture Minister pointed out that Algeria could be able to face the problem if a cooperation banks would be established as assist and facilitate importing 50 thousands milk cows annually in the profit of farmers, bringing cows’ number to 1million during the five upcoming years.
On another side, the Minister reassured consumers that potatoes harvest will exceed national needs this year. He further added that potatoes seed prices will vary between 80 and 90 AD the KG compared to 160DA during previous years.

25-12-2007
By S. Y/ Translation Section