Govt. assures steady food supply despite cyclone disruptions

Monday, 1 December 2025 04:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Ministry says no shortages of essential commodities
Urges public to avoid panic buying and warns traders against unfair practices
Flood-affected districts receiving direct deliveries through local authorities
Importation and Customs clearance continuing without interruption

The Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Ministry yesterday moved to reassure the public that essential food commodities remain available across the country despite temporary disruptions caused by Cyclone Ditwah and the resulting floods.

In a statement, the Ministry said: “There is no shortage of essential commodities,” adding that while transportation and distribution channels in several districts had been affected, “replenishment is continuous and in progress.”

The Ministry said Government and private sector agencies involved in importation, wholesale, storage, transportation, and retail are working together “to ensure the smooth flow and distribution of essential commodities, making them available to the public as quickly as possible.”

District-level arrangements have also been put in place to deliver supplies directly to flood-affected areas. Importation and Customs clearance, it noted, are proceeding normally, and “there is now no flood threat to the release of containers from the Customs examination yards.”

The Government said it is prepared to import additional quantities of any essential good “should a temporary shortage arise,” while safeguarding the interests of farmers where agricultural products are concerned.

The public was urged to avoid stockpiling, with the Ministry warning that “purchasing more than necessary strains the supply chain and risks creating an artificial shortage in the market.” It added that excessive consumer buying could impede relief operations, saying: “We urge everyone to purchase only the quantities required for their daily needs.”

The statement also called on traders to maintain ethical conduct, emphasising that unfair practices would not be tolerated under the state of emergency.

“Unfair trading methods, such as hoarding, price gouging, the dissemination of false or misleading information, or the creation of artificial scarcity, not only violate regulatory guidelines but also severely undermine market stability and erode consumer trust,” the Ministry said.

Traders were reminded that transparency and fairness in pricing and distribution were essential for both public confidence and effective relief efforts.