Call to control food prices

Fatima Muhammad ‎‏JEDDAH — The head of the national committee for food and catering at Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sharif Shakir Al-Harthi noted that the food prices in Saudi are not comparable to the international prices. He explained that the international food prices are dropping for four years now due to the drop in energy prices and economic deflation. ‎‏He called for the launching of a local food price index like that of Food and Agriculture Organization. He also said there needs to be collaboration between the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the customs department to protect consumers. ‎‏According to FAO figures there is a drop of 16% in food prices this year. However, prices of primary food products in Saudi Arabia are either stable or sometimes rising, said Al-Harthi. ‎‏The price of milk has dropped by 28% internationally while grains witnessed a drop of 29% followed by sugar, which dropped by 21%, however this drop did not reflect on local prices, added Al-Harthi. ‎‏Al-Harthi said concerned authorities should monitor traders to prevent any hike in prices. ‎‏He attributed high prices in local market to traders and the absence of cooperation between government bodies in charge. He added the ministry needs to increase the number of employees to monitor the market in order to provide customer satisfaction. He also called on traders to consider various economic factors and then opt for a realistic profit margin. ‎‏He also demanded that the ministry follows the same procedures it followed while monitoring the baby milk prices and apply this strategy to all necessary products.