Sanaa:Acting Minister of Economy, Industry and Investment Sam Al-Bashiri has inaugurated the second phase of a program to increase the wheat flour extraction rate to 86 percent at several mills in Amanat al-Asimah.
According to Yemen News Agency, Al-Bashiri indicated that this phase is part of the ministry's strategy to optimize wheat consumption, minimize waste, and enhance the nutritional value of flour. This initiative aims to improve food security and reduce the import bill by adjusting bread consumption patterns and utilizing more components of the wheat grain.
Al-Bashiri commended the compliance of large and medium mills with the new standards, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration between the ministry and the mills to ensure the success of the new extraction rates. This change is expected to foster a healthier consumption pattern, positively impacting the economy by reducing wheat waste and lowering import costs.
The minister highlighted the achievements of the first phase, noting the positive response from milling companies and consumers as promising signs for the transition to a new bread consumption pattern. The ministry, in partnership with its offices in Amanat al-Asimah and governorates, and the Yemeni Authority for Specifications, Standards and Quality Control, plans to conduct field campaigns to ensure mills adhere to the set extraction rates and specifications.
Markets and sales outlets have been granted a 20-day period to sell off existing stocks from the previous phase's production. After this period, any non-compliant quantities will be seized and confiscated.
Abdullah Al-Atefi, Executive Director of the Yemeni Authority for Specifications, Standards and Quality Control, assured that the authority will coordinate with the ministry to conduct regular inspections of mills to ensure compliance with the new extraction rates and standards.
During a field visit to a bakery, Al-Bashiri, along with Al-Atefi, Saleh Ateefah, director of the Economy Office in Hodeidah Governorate, and Muhammad Salah, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Amanat al-Asimah, reviewed the bread production process using the new wheat flour. Al-Bashiri praised the quality of production and consumer response, reaffirming his commitment to maintaining standards that meet consumer needs and ensure product nutritional value.
