Government Begins Importing 80 Essential Commodities After List Expansion
Staple foods stored in STO warehouse.
State Trading Organization (STO) has begun importing 80 categories of essential commodities after the government expanded the list from 26 items, with the goods set to be distributed across inhabited islands at prices determined by the state-owned company.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Transport, the expanded list comprises 20 varieties of fruit, 20 varieties of vegetables, 37 commonly used household food items and three essential non-food items.
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The ministry said that STO is working with private businesses to ensure the goods are available across the atolls, both through its own outlets and designated agents. Local businesses will also be able to purchase the commodities wholesale from STO for resale to the public.
ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ޑރ. މުޙައްމަދު މުޢިއްޒުގެ އިސްނެންގެވުމުގެ ދަށުން، އަސާސީ ބާވަތްތައް ހެޔޮ އަގުގައި، މެދުނުކެނޑި ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ލިބޭނެ އިންތިޒާމު ހަމަޖެއްސުމަށްޓަކައި، އެސްޓީއޯ އިން މިހާރު ދަނީ، އަލަށް ކަނޑައަޅާފައިވާ 80 އަސާސީ ބާވަތް، އެ ކުންފުނިން ކަނޑައަޅާ ހެޔޮ އަގުތަކެއްގައި ރާއްޖޭގެ އެކި ކަންކޮޅުތަކުގެ އެސްޓީއޯ ފިހާރަތަކާއި އޭޖެންޓުން މެދުވެރިކޮށް ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ފޯރުކޮށްދެމުން. އިތުރު މައުލޫމާތު 👈: https://t.co/VoruuK5dQN— Ministry of Economic Development,Transport & Trade (@MoEDmv) October 11, 2026
The distribution system categorises administrative areas into four groups based on population: Malé, cities, islands with more than 3,000 residents and islands with fewer than 3,000 residents.
In Malé, the commodities will be available through STO outlets and wholesale supplies to retail businesses. In the atolls, distribution will take place through STO shops and designated agents in Addu City, Fuvahmulah City, Thinadhoo City and Kulhudhuffushi City.
The company said the wholesale arrangement would also support small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the islands.
The expansion is intended to strengthen food security and ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential goods at affordable prices throughout the Maldives. STO has published a list of private businesses partnering with the company to distribute the commodities across the atolls.
