The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday warned of stiff action against traders hoarding barley in their greed for money. The ministry lambasted the traders hoarding the cereal with the intention to create an artificial shortage in the market thus making a huge profit by selling the stuff when the demand goes up. The ministry's warning came amid reports that barley is getting out of stock in the market and is being sold at an exorbitant price. The ministry has directed governors of all administrative regions of the Kingdom and directors of other concerned authorities to carry out to surprise inspections of grocery stores to ensure a smooth supply of barley. The ministry warned that erring traders face sealing of their shops, naming and shaming of the violators in three widely circulated local newspapers at their expenses, stoppage of the government subsidy and imposition of financial fine. Statistics show that barley, yellow corn and soya beans constitute 98 percent of Saudi Arabia's total fodder imports.
