The wheat unloaded Tuesday, April 15 in São Vicente will not see any price alterations, despite previous statements made by Moave general director Carlitos Fortes, who had affirmed that the shipment would have to be marketed at a higher price. The president of the National Food Security Agency (ANSA), Miguel Monteiro, explained to A Semana Online that an understanding had been reached between ANSA and grain company Moave in order to contain the effects of the increase in wheat prices on the international market.

Miguel Monteiro said that during the negotiations various factors were considered in order to attempt to keep the price of wheat stable at least until late June, when Moave is expected to import another shipment of the grain. “For example, we analyzed the fact that wheat is undergoing oscillations on the international market, with a tendency for the price to go down after the next harvest hits the market in June. Expectations are also that this harvest will be very good in both quantitative and qualitative terms, which will also be reflected in the price of wheat.”

These indicators, according to Miguel Monteiro, will become more clear beginning in late May, when the price of wheat on future markets will already be known. In addition, Moave’s last purchase of wheat was of a food aid shipment. “Moave paid a very accessible price for the previous shipment, in January, which will not allow it to bear part of the importation costs,” added the president of ANSA.

Fontes confirmed to A Semana Online that this week’s wheat shipment will be sold at the same price the company has been practicing for some time - 2,500 escudos per 50-kilo sac on the island of São Vicente and 2,580 on the country’s other islands. This means that, at least for the time being, wheat prices will not see any increases.

Source: A Semana