STO Prepares for 1446 Ramadan to Ensure Availability of Essential Goods

The State Trading Organisation (STO) is making special preparations to ensure the availability of essential food items during Ramadan, a period of high demand that often sees rising prices and supply shortages.

As one of its key objectives, STO works to provide easy access to essential goods across the country at reasonable prices. In collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the company is taking proactive measures to prevent market disruptions during Ramadan. Given the Maldives’ reliance on imported goods, STO is closely monitoring global market trends to match domestic demand.

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To stabilise prices and avoid shortages, STO has placed advance orders for key food items, with the first shipment scheduled to arrive in early February. Subsequent shipments will be brought in regularly to maintain supply. Daily monitoring of market prices will be conducted, and any unjustified price increases will be addressed with immediate action. If necessary, STO will intervene to stabilise the prices of essential commodities under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

This year’s preparations have been tailored based on past experiences to better serve both businesses and the general public. Special focus has been placed on importing goods in four key categories:

• Basic staples: onions, eggs, potatoes, coconuts, and dates.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits: garlic, ginger, limes, carrots, oranges, cabbage, peppers, guavas, watermelons, mangoes, passion fruits, and cucumbers.
• Processed foods: Nestlé cream, cocoa powder, baked beans, and condensed milk.
• Cooking ingredients: sunflower oil, vegetable oil, and basmati rice.

By ensuring timely imports and market intervention when needed, STO aims to maintain a steady supply of essential goods and mitigate the impact of seasonal price fluctuations during Ramadan.