The Ministry of Economy and Trade has announced new measures to regulate grain and raw material imports, aiming to strengthen food security and curb rising prices.
The ministry said import approvals exceeded $900m last year without improving market stability or lowering production costs.
It explained that the new measures are part of efforts to improve living standards and ensure the availability of basic food items at reasonable prices, following increases in the cost of grains and animal feed that have pushed up prices of meat, poultry and eggs.
A ministry review found the crisis was linked to market disorder, the presence of intermediaries and brokers, and the use of grain trading for speculation rather than production.
Under the new plan, imports of wheat, corn, barley and soybeans will be limited to active industrial and production entities, with trading intermediaries barred from importing raw materials for resale.
The measures also include linking import volumes to actual production capacity and introducing a digital system to track goods from entry into the country to final production.
The ministry said the steps are intended to tackle speculation and stabilise prices, adding that there are early signs of improvement, including a gradual decline in meat prices and better supply levels.
