RI'S WHEAT IMPORTS EXPECTED TO INCREASE THIS YEAR

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Jan 12 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's wheat imports are expected to increase this year, even as it has imposed a 20 percent duty on wheat to protect the local industry from alleged dumping practices by Turkish exporters.          Indonesia's wheat imports have continued to increase, totaling 5.5 million tonnes in 2011 and increasing 9 percent to about 6 million tonnes in 2012.  The country's imports of wheat this year are expected to rise by about 6-7 percent.          "Our national wheat flour output must increase because of the wheat flour safeguard duty," Franciscus Welirang, chairman of the Indonesian Flour Mills Association (Aptindo), was quoted as saying by online media brecorder.com.          The Indonesian government has imposed an emergency safeguarding tax on wheat imports due to alleged dumping in its domestic market, as practiced by Turkish exporters.

LOCAL FLOUR PRODUCERS SEEK PROTECTION AGAINST IMPORTS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 4 (ANTARA) - Indonesian flour producers are seeking protection from the government (in the form of a temporary safeguard duty) because Turkish flour exporters are carrying out dumping practices. Fearing that their businesses could face bankruptcy unless protection is taken, domestic flour producers have taken the issue of dumping practices to the government. According to the local flour producers, Turkish flour exporters have been selling flour at a lower price in Indonesia, as compared to the price of the commodity in its country of origin.          According to Ratna Sari Loppies, executive director of the Indonesian Flour Mills Association (Aptindo), the domestic flour price in Turkey is US$470 per metric tonne. However, the selling price in Indonesia is set at US$340-US$370 per metric tonne. This data has been provided by the US Department of Agriculture.