Importer waits before buying wheat

Egypt's main wheat importer said yesterday he was not thinking of buying wheat until the issues raised by a government import ban on genetically engineered grain were settled.

Egypt issued a decree that it would require import of commodities meant for human consumption to be accompanied by proof that genetic engineering was not used in their production.

"A freeze in the world market concerning Egypt will continue for 15 to 20 days," according to Zanier Shakankiri, vice Chairman of the state's General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC)."We have ceased watching the market until this problem is solved."

"We used to watch the market to buy when prices go down. Even if we could get the wheat for free we would not buy it because it would not enter the country without the certificate," he added.