Changes to Global Food Supply Chains Due to Escalation in Middle East Being Monitored, Ministry Says

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade says it is closely monitoring global food markets and supply chains amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has affected cargo vessels travelling through the Suez Canal.

In a press release, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade said it is observing changes in international food supply systems and fluctuations in commodity prices as the conflict continues to spread.

The statement noted that challenges facing cargo vessels transiting through Middle Eastern routes, including the Suez Canal corridor, could pose risks to goods imported to the Maldives.

ނޫސްބަޔާން: މެދުއިރުމަތީގައި ހިނގަމުންދާ ހަމަނުޖެހުމާއި ގުޅިގެން ސަޕްލައި ޗެއިނަށް ދިމާވެދާނެ ގޮންޖެހުންތައް މޮނިޓަރކޮށް ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ކާބޯތަކެއްޗާއި އަސާސީ ބާވަތްތަށް މެދުކެނޑުމެއްނެތި ލިބޭނެކަން ކަށަވަރުކުރުމަށް ސަރަކާރުން ކުރަމުންދާ މަސައްކަތާ ގުޅޭhttps://t.co/RU07js1599 pic.twitter.com/CtmB4BP4ii— Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (@MoEDmv) February 28, 2026

The ministry said it is working closely with stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector to assess the impact of disruptions to international freight systems. It added that preparations are under way to address any potential interruptions affecting supply routes used for imports to the Maldives.

According to the ministry, the government’s primary objective at this stage is to ensure the security of essential goods and food supplies required by Maldivian citizens.

Authorities said they will continue to monitor and verify stock levels of key commodities and coordinate with relevant state institutions to take necessary measures to minimise adverse economic impacts.

The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining economic stability and ensuring continued public access to essential goods despite evolving global conditions.

Yesterday, President Mohamed Muizzu established a Special Cabinet Committee in response to the escalating situation in the Middle East. The President’s Office spokesperson, Heena Waleed, said the committee was formed to coordinate and implement joint measures to address potential challenges Maldivians may face amid the ongoing crisis.

The developments come after a sharp escalation in regional tensions. According to Al Jazeera, Iran has targeted United States assets across several Gulf Arab states in retaliation for a large-scale joint strike by the US and Israel, raising concerns over a wider regional conflict.

Iran’s government confirmed on Saturday that it had carried out attacks on multiple targets, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — where airbases hosting US assets are located — the report added, citing the Fars news agency. Iran also confirmed that its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.