Bahrain’s food stock remains fully secure despite current challenges and the kingdom is well‑prepared to welcome Eid Al Fitr, which begins today, with ample supplies of essential commodities, a senior official confirmed yesterday.
Bahrain Chamber food committee chairman Khalid Al Amin reassured citizens and residents that there is no need for concern regarding food availability during the holiday period.
He emphasised that the kingdom continues to strengthen its supply chain and is committed to meeting the increasing demands of the local market.
Mr Al Amin affirmed that, under the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the committee will co-ordinate with the relevant authorities to ensure the continuity of food supplies.
“All preparations have been completed to receive the blessed Eid Al Fitr and meet the growing needs of the local market,” said Mr Al Amin.
“Additionally, authorities concerned are working in continuous co-ordination to enforce the directives of HRH Prince Salman to ensure the continuity of the flow of food shipments through all of Bahrain’s ports.
“The committee, in co-ordination with the relevant government agencies, remains in continuous contact with all food traders and outlets involved in import and export activities to monitor the progress of operations.
“We are also ensuring the efficiency of inspection mechanisms and expediting the customs clearance of food and agricultural shipments, so that the needs of the local market are fully met during the Eid Al Fitr holidays.”
Mr Al Amin noted that there is ongoing co-ordination among the various authorities to ensure the availability of sufficient quantities of basic foodstuffs. He added that efforts are also underway to maintain their continuous presence in the markets, particularly during the current period. Meanwhile, Industry and Commerce Ministry inspectors are currently out in full force across markets and retail outlets in the kingdom, monitoring goods ahead of Eid Al Fitr to ensure that sellers do not exploit the occasion by unjustifiably raising prices.
The ministry has activated pre-Eid inspection plans that cover key seasonal sectors, including fruit and vegetable vendors, beauty salons, tailoring shops, sweet shops and bakeries, restaurants, catering kitchens, as well as malls and major commercial centres.
Earlier this week, the ministry also confirmed that livestock, meat and poultry supplies are available in abundance across Bahrain’s markets, ensuring that consumer needs will be fully met ahead of Eid Al Fitr.
Eid Al Fitr this year coincides with the spring equinox in a rare astronomical alignment, where the moon of Shawwal (crescent) was visible yesterday.
The GDN reported earlier that alternative shipping routes – by air, sea and land – have been activated to ensure that Bahrain’s food needs are met.
Bahrain is in direct contact with ports across the GCC, including Jeddah, Salalah and Fujairah, to support traders in navigating logistical challenges.
Additionally, other GCC nations are facilitating the movement of food and essential goods through their respective entry points to maintain high efficiency across all channels.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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