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Supermarket giant LuLu Group has facilitated the arrival of more than 100 tonnes of food essentials into Bahrain through special repatriation flights operated by the kingdom’s national carrier, Gulf Air, via Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport, Dammam.
So far, nine flights have arrived carrying a range of food items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, juices, coconut water, grocery items, pulses and bottled water.
The supplies have been sourced from multiple international markets including Kochi, Mumbai, London and Thailand – and will be distributed across LuLu stores in Bahrain.
Similar LuLu-led cargo initiatives helped transport 160 tonnes of food essentials from India to the UAE through special cargo operations by Emirates, and 82 tonnes of food essentials to Kuwait via Kuwait Airways – reflecting the group’s co-ordinated efforts to support stable food supplies across the GCC, the company said.
Yusuffali M A, Chairman of LuLu Group, reaffirmed that LuLu has taken ‘comprehensive measures’ to maintain adequate food stocks and ensure price stability across its stores, emphasising that there is ‘no cause for panic’.
- Bahrain Chamber’s Food Sector Committee chairman Khalid Al Amin affirmed that the committee continues its efforts in co-ordination with government authorities and the private sector to take all necessary measures to maintain the smooth flow of food supply chains and prevent any disruption or market disturbance due to the current circumstances.
Mr Al Amin noted that these efforts have contributed to achieving a degree of relative stability in the local market and reassuring citizens and residents about the continuous availability of essential commodities in a safe and sustainable manner.
This came at an expanded co-ordination meeting that brought together the Food Sector Committee with the Ports Affairs Administration, Customs Affairs, the Public Health Directorate, the Industry and Commerce Ministry, APM Terminals, Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Company, and representatives from shipping companies such as DHL and Maersk, in addition to a number of food traders.
Mr Al Amin added that the visits conducted by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to markets to check on the availability of essential goods and the smooth flow of supply chains reflect the forward-looking approach of His Majesty King Hamad in safeguarding national stability under all circumstances. “These efforts serve as a strong incentive to continue joint work between the public and private sectors to ensure the sustainability of food supplies and market stability.”
He also pointed out that the meeting addressed challenges related to shipping movements in the region and ways to enhance co-ordination to ensure the continued flow of food supplies to the kingdom.
A number of logistical challenges facing some shipments at regional ports were reviewed, along with potential solutions to facilitate their transfer through alternative ports and then overland to Bahrain, thereby ensuring uninterrupted food supply chains.
The meeting also discussed suppliers’ observations regarding refrigerated containers, electricity connection requirements at certain ports, and procedures related to shipping documentation when unloading containers at regional ports prior to land transportation.
Mr Al Amin said that several proposals were reviewed to accelerate inspection and customs clearance procedures and address logistical obstacles facing importers to ensure that food commodities reach local markets without interruption.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening co-ordination with shipping companies to direct shipments bound for Bahrain to the most appropriate regional ports, thereby ensuring the stability of supply chains and reducing the likelihood of delays in cargo arrivals.
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