JIP receives 5 million tons of food

Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) received 5 million tons of food in the period ending May 2013, compared to 4.5 million tons in the same period last year, according to a report issued by the General Port Authority.
The report said imported goods in May also rose in comparison with the same month last year, to 912,000 tons compared to 751,000 tons last year.
Wasif Kabli, a member of the trade committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said the increase was expected because of rising consumer demand.
He said there was competition between food manufacturers to meet increasing demand for various food and consumer products. Lower prices attract more consumers.
Majid Al-Ghamdi, a food merchant in Jeddah, said rising local demand means more imported food.
He said the increase is also caused by the lack of local food manufacturing companies. He said more food factories should be built.
Bandar Ahmad, a salesman at a local food store in Jeddah, said companies are always introducing new products to attract more consumers. He said the growing population and increasing number of stores require more imported food.
The rising imports, partly due to Ramadan, have caused a huge backlog of containers inside the port because gates are closed for trucks.
Imported goods include clothing, food and other items. Many of these products are kept inside containers in the port, which local economists say will contribute to price increases and the emergence of a black market.
The port had promised in mid-June to open many gates, such as gate eight and nine, but this has not happened yet.
Abdul Qadir Sadeiqi, vice president of the customs clearance committee at the JCCI, said there seems to be no solution in sight.
The Jeddah port authorities can solve the situation by opening the gates, he said.
This will prevent price hikes and a lack of consumer products in the market during Ramadan.
Sadeiqi said attempts are being made to open gates for the trucks. He said gate eight was closed for maintenance after a fire broke out in the sugar factory.