STO assures steady supply of fruits and vegetables

State Trading Organization (STO) has assured today that there will be no shortage of fruits, vegetables and other varieties of essential food items defined by the government. 

A press conference was held at STO Head Office today to provide details of the company's efforts to import essential food items. 

Speaking at the press briefing, STO Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim stated that the company has now made arrangements for the storing of these supplies in bulk. STO has now set up two warehouses in Male' for storing perishables and other goods, he said. 

"We have now set up two modern warehouses at the Industrial Village, near where the bridge is being constructed," he said.

Shimad further said that in the case of goods brought from countries further away, the company will bring it via air instead of sea if there is risk of a shortage. 

At the press briefing, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said that in future, STO will facilitate storage for goods in other regions of the country as well. 

In addition to staple food, STO will bring in fruits and vegetables and sell them in the market, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced last night. 

This is the first time that STO has undertaken the permanent importing and selling of other varieties besides flour, rice and sugar. Previously, they only brought in such produce to address shortages or for price control. 

In a recent social media announcement, the President revealed a cabinet decision authorizing STO to import and sell in bulk - alongside sugar, rice and flour - the ten most-imported fruits and vegetables in the Maldives, as well as lentils, eggs and potatoes.