Merchants: The food stock in Bahrain is sufficient for up to 8 months and the market is operating normally

Heba Mohsen

• – Zainal: The strategic food stock is available at reassuring levels
• – Al-Bustani: Supplies coming through land ports are still normal
• – Asad: Everyone should shop normally without worry or excessive buying

Responsible sources and traders in Bahrain confirmed that the food stock in the Kingdom is stable and sufficient to cover the needs of the local market for a period ranging between six and eight months, as customs ports and supply chains operate regularly, with full coordination between public and private agencies to ensure the uninterrupted arrival of basic goods, while maintaining price stability and product quality, at a time when regional concerns are increasing regarding supply chains and the availability of basic materials.

Al-Watan conducted a survey with a number of senior merchants, importers, and concerned officials, to determine the size of the strategic stock, the flow of import movement through various ports, and the measures taken to ensure the continued flow of foodstuffs to the markets without interruption, in a way that enhances reassurance, maintains price stability, and the availability of goods for citizens and residents.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Travco Group, Ibrahim Zainal, confirmed that the strategic stock of foodstuffs in the Kingdom of Bahrain is available at reassuring levels, indicating that the current quantities are sufficient to cover the needs of the local market for a period ranging between six to eight months, according to the indicators and data available to the concerned authorities and importers.

Zainal explained that supply chains operate continuously, and that coordination is in place between the public and private sectors to ensure the smooth flow of basic goods to markets and commercial complexes, in a way that maintains price stability and the uninterrupted availability of products.

At the same time, he pointed out that there are some internal obstacles that may temporarily affect the speed of arrival of goods to the hypermarket, including the closure of some roads or limited movement in some areas, in addition to the shortage of workers in some logistical facilities, which may lead to a limited delay in distribution operations, without affecting the size of the stock or the availability of goods in the market.

Zainal stressed the importance of everyone’s cooperation at this stage, whether from the concerned authorities or consumers, calling for avoiding buying out of anxiety, because the stock is sufficient and the goods are available, stressing that the Kingdom of Bahrain has a strong supply system and precautionary plans capable of dealing with various emergency circumstances with high efficiency. Regarding vegetables and fruits, businessman and fruit and vegetable trader Reda Al-Bustani confirmed that supplies coming to the Kingdom of Bahrain through land ports are still proceeding normally, especially imports from Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, indicating that land freight movement continues without interruption until now. Al-Bustani explained that it is expected that the flow of these products will continue during the coming period, unless some countries decide to take precautionary measures and reserve their products to cover the needs of their local markets, which is a matter that remains linked to developments in regional conditions and the decisions of each individual country. On the other hand, he pointed out that shipments coming by sea and passing through the Strait of Hormuz have stopped at the present time, pointing out that the most prominent countries affected by this are India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Al-Bustani stressed that fruits and vegetables are considered highly perishable commodities that cannot be stored for long periods, which makes the regularity of supply chains and the speedy arrival of shipments essential to maintaining their quality and availability in the markets. He stressed at the same time that the local market deals flexibly with variables by diversifying import sources as much as possible. Food trader Muslim Asad confirmed that the food stock in the Kingdom of Bahrain has ample and sufficient levels, covering the market’s needs for more than the next six months, reassuring all citizens and residents that Conditions are proceeding completely normally without any significant disturbance.

The Minister of Industry and Trade, Abdullah Fakhro, had held an expanded meeting with those concerned in the sector, after which he issued clear directives to give food supplies the highest priority when entering customs ports, and to speed up the procedures for clearing them and delivering them to the markets without delay. These materials include rice, vegetable oils, grains and legumes of various types, as well as fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, which receive special attention to ensure that they reach the consumer with the highest levels of quality and freshness.

In this regard, Muslim Asad praised the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, stressing that the open economic system that was established under the wise leadership contributed to enhancing a healthy competitive business environment, and ensuring the continued availability of basic goods with high quality and competitive prices that are in the direct interest of the Bahraini consumer.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade confirmed that the import ports are operating regularly and smoothly, and that the concerned authorities continue to evaluate the situation on an ongoing basis to ensure the stability of food supplies throughout the Kingdom. Muslim Asad pointed out that the Bahraini consumer will not suffer any negative impact, calling on them to continue their shopping normally, and to have confidence in the continuous efforts made by the competent authorities to ensure the stability of the markets, calling on families not to worry or excessive demand for purchases, and to continue with their usual consumption pattern with complete reassurance.