STO's Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim stated yesterday that there is assurance the price of essential food will be controlled and that arrangements will be made where essential food items can be acquired with ease.
While giving an interview to Mihaaru News regarding the preparations for Ramadan, Shimad said that compared to the experience of the previous Ramadan, arrangements in acquiring essential food will be improved from last time and prices can be controlled as well.
Shimad went on to say that many food items at the market are "held at a low price" ahead of Ramadan. He continued, saying that they are working on making arrangements so that the prices do not increase from where they are at currently.
"We are currently making arrangements to publish the prices onto our website," said the Managing Director.
Shimad highlighted that they have always made the effort to work together with businesses in maintaining prices, along with STO. However, he said that as the usage of food items increases during Ramadan compared to other months, there is a "trend where prices increase."
Nevertheless, Shimad said that STO is looking to control the price of food items that tend to increase this time around, compared to the trend these past few years.
Examples in controlling prices
Shimad stated that the price of onions was MVR 15 per kilogram last Ramadan. STO will be making arrangements so that the price of onions would not go beyond MVR 15 per kilogram for this year's Ramadan.
STO's MD said that even though the price of garlic went up to MVR 300 the last time, the price will not go beyond MVR 50 this year. He also said that STO currently has a sizable amount of garlic for sale.
According to Shimad, the price of oranges will also be lowered to MVR 5 or 6 during Ramadan.
"An orange shipment of ours has recently entered the country. The bigger issue right now is supply and demand. The higher the supply, the lower the prices will be," said Shimad.
Shimad assured that the prices of chili and coconut, both of which are on the essential foods list, will be maintained.
Wholesale centers specifically for Ramadan
STO has decided to come up with an arrangement where food items can be acquired easily this Ramadan:
- To have a wholesale center at Male's industrial area and in front of the North Harbor.
- To have a wholesale center at Hulhumale's industrial area.
- Food items will be sold by STO's agents at islands with a population exceeding 3,000 and at 11 of their shops at various islands.
- Arrangements will be made where "base cargo" will be given to MPL to be shipped directly to HDh. Kulhudhuffushi and Addu. Due to that, this would make it easier for the northern and southern islands to acquire food items, with prices being maintained, said Shimad.
As per the MD, as there are a lot of people requesting an STO retail store be opened in Hulhumale', an island where the population is increasing rapidly, a store will be opened today in Hulhumale' Phase 1.
Shimad also stated that STO is looking to make arrangements where if someone places an order in Male', the items will be available in the Hulhumale' retail store.
"I believe this is the biggest request from Hulhumale'. Instead of buying items from the wholesale center, arrangements are made where the items can be picked up from Hulhumale' after payment is made in Male'. We will make such an arrangement," said Shimad.
The list of essential food items:
- Banana
- Apple
- Orange
- Lemon
- Passionfruit
- Mango
- Papaya
- Watermelon
- Chili
- Grape
- Red onion
- Ginger
- Carrot
- Eggplant
- Sweet potato
- Garlic
- Potato
- Cabbage
- Pumpkin
- Spinach
- Yellow lentil
- Egg
- Coconut
