Government Takes Measures to Control Ramadan Food Prices Hike

A fruit and vegetable merchant in Manama Central Market

After the effective move taken by the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture during the past week to contain the sudden rise in the prices of some types of vegetables, which are in high demand during the holy month of Ramadan, prices have returned to their normal levels.

If there are reasons behind this rise, some of them affect importers, and their storage of large quantities of foodstuffs and vegetables, which led to a lack of supply in the market of these commodities.

And if we accept the existence of other external causes, then at the same time we do not absolve the consumer from responsibility as being, in one way or another, a reason for the rise in the prices of those commodities, even if that was an indirect reason.

The insistence of many consumers on certain commodities or materials in light of the availability of alternatives to these commodities provided a greater opportunity for manipulators to raise prices, and this is what happened during the past week, but the quick move taken by the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture to overcome this problem calls for appreciation as measures were taken Quick and decisive to control the prices of vegetables and return them to normal levels.

These measures have translated the size of the responsibility shouldered by this ministry to protect the consumer from any manipulation in the prices of essential commodities.

Al-Ayyam followed all these procedures and published their details, including those related to tightening control over the markets or inviting the General Company for Trade and Food Industry to import suitable quantities of vegetables immediately to miss the opportunity for the group of manipulators.

These efforts, which are associated with the steps of the state represented by the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture in relation to providing the necessary needs throughout the blessed month of Ramadan of sheep and cow meat and the rest of the requirements and the Ministry’s follow-up to adjust the commitment to pricing in addition to the Ministry’s constant endeavor to provide consumer needs under various circumstances and permanently are efforts that deserve appreciation and praise Especially since it has proven the state's absolute intolerance to everything that affects the livelihood of citizens.