Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has stated that the Government will ensure 23 essential food items are sourced globally and made available to the public at affordable prices throughout the year, regardless of seasonal or external disruptions.

Responding to questions from journalists at the President’s Office, Minister Saeed said the list of essential food items was formulated based on consumption data from the consumer price index and statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics. He noted that the selection reflects the most commonly consumed food items among Maldivian households.

The Minister explained that while essential food policies have existed since the 1950s, the current Administration has expanded the scope of essential goods in response to changing living standards and consumption patterns. He said the decision was taken under the direction of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to strengthen food security and ensure price stability.

According to the Minister, the Government’s current system is designed to procure the 23 designated items from any available international market and supply them domestically at the lowest sustainable price.

Efforts are also underway to strengthen storage and logistics arrangements to facilitate efficient distribution. Minister Saeed said dedicated transport routes have been established through Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) to streamline the import and delivery process. He added that while MPL will play a central role, opportunities will remain open for private logistics operators to participate in the sector.

The Minister reiterated that ensuring stable access to essential food items remains a priority for the Administration as part of measures to safeguard national food security.