Pakistan: Turkish flour importers seek reprieve

25/07/2013 12:00 - 463 Views

Importers of Turkish flour are poised to ask the Agriculture Department to postpone the evaluation of the anti-dumping case to allow end-users like bakers and noodle-makers to have ample supply of cheap quality flour in preparation for the holiday season.

“By September, all bakers, makers of noodles and pasta will start to step up operations and many may not have the capacity to keep up with competition without Turkish flour,” leading Turkish flour importer Malabon Long Life Corp. said at the sidelines of the quarterly meeting of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC).

The Trade Department has included in its price coordination meeting the anti-dumping issue of Turkish flour filed by flour millers against importers.

Trade Secretary Gregory L .Domingo said his department and that of the Agriculture Department called for a special meeting with industry players to determine how the sector can “move forward.”

“The bakers’ concern, I gathered, is that they might not be able to place orders of Turkish flour for their budget breads while the case is still being decided. But the Agriculture Department clarified that no additional charges will be imposed yet on Turkish flour imports until the evaluation is completed,” he said.

While importers have ordered for the arrival of 200 container vans of Turkish flour to arrive until September only, most of them expressed concern of ordering additional volume for fear of surcharges.

At present Turkish flour sells at P720 per bag while the local Harinang Pinoy produced by RFM Corporation cost about P785 per bag. Local premium flour is priced between P890 and P920 per bag.

By Othel V. Campos |

Source: manilastandardtoday.com