The Serbian government introduced a ban on the export of wheat and flour, Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management Dusan Petrovic stated estimating that the measure should ensure a steady supply to the internal market and positively affect the price of bread.

Petrovic told the Belgrade-based TV B92 that the government was particularly worried over the Grain Fund's data which show that Serbia has exported approximately 650,000 tons of wheat from the last year's harvest until the beginning of March, which is 150,000 tons more than it was planned. Therefore, the restriction on export of wheat and flour was a necessity, he added.

The ban is temporary and will last for three months at the most, Petrovic announced adding that the decision was reached after consultation with the official Brussels and CEFTA member countries.

Commenting on the speculation that the price of bread which is currently set at RSD 55 could rise to RSD 70 (EUR1= RSD 102), Petrovic said that the ministry will discuss the matter with associations of entrepreneurs and food processing companies, and announced that the government will intervene in the market in conformity with the regulations and do everything in its power to prevent a decline in the living standard of the most vulnerable citizens.

The Serbian Grain Fund and Bakers Association demanded temporary ban on export of wheat and flour so as to regulate the situation in the market.

There will be enough wheat, but not at lower prices

Serbian cabinet's decision to introduce a temporary ban on the exports of wheat and flour will provide for enough bread wheat on the domestic market until new harvest, but it will not significantly affect the price of wheat, experts in the field of bread manufacture told Tanjug on Thurdsay.

According to data from Zita Srbije, an association promoting grains production and exports, there are currently about 350,000 tons of wheat in the country's silos, “which should be enough until the new harvest,” said the association's director, Vukosav Sakovic.

The government's measure on banning exports of wheat is quite understandable when one bears in mind that Serbia has exported a total of about 650,000 tons of wheat since last harvest, he said.