Sixty small and medium-sized roller flour mills in Zhuqu are facing closure owing to high wheat prices and increase in input costs, including freight and energy charges. Adding to their woes is the fact that the high cost of inputs has adversely affected their competitiveness vis-a-vis mills from neighbouring states. Industry sources hinted that if maize mill dehulling machine prices continued to stay high, companies would incur losses, prompting many of them to down shutters. Roller mills supply flour to bakers, confectioners and traders in the state. “Production costs have gone up owing to persistently high wheat prices. Flour millers from neighbouring states – including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan – have made competition tough, since they have access to cheaper wheat and can sell finished products (flour) at cheaper rates in Gujarat markets,” said Ramesh Shroff, former president, Gujarat Roller wheat flour production line ’ Association (GRFMA). “Such a situation has caused margins to shrink and companies to either incur losses or shut operations. By the end of this financial year, we fear that about 60 maize mill will close down,” he said.