Shop normally, as food supply is steady in Oman: official

Muscat: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MAFWR) has told people to just shop normally, avoid stockpiling, and trust the assurances given by the competent authorities.

Speaking to the Observer exclusively on the current market conditions, Masoud al Azri,  Director General of Marketing for Agriculture and Fisheries and the official spokesman at the Ministry, said that the country's food supply, which includes vegetables and meat, remains functional.

"Authorities are actively managing import channels and strategic reserves to ensure essential items remain available on shelves.

Masoud al Azri, Director General of Marketing for Agriculture and Fisheries

"Regarding the fact that the country has not been significantly affected by the closure of ports and airports in the current circumstances, he said, "The Sultanate of Oman is relatively well-positioned as its diplomatic neutrality and direct access to the Sea of Oman, which is outside the primary conflict zone, help maintain supply continuity better than several neighboring countries.

"About the reports that shipping costs have increased due to the closure of some important ports and airports in the region, and also changes in insurance premiums, he said, "Logistics costs have seen some adjustment globally.

The government and retailers are working with suppliers to absorb pressures and maintain stable pricing for consumers."If the war stops or the situation eases, hopefully in the coming weeks or days, Al Azri said, "Supply chains are resilient, and if the situation resolves, most trade routes and logistics networks can return to normal operations within a matter of weeks, given existing infrastructure and stockpiles."

He said that Omani fishermen operating in coastal and the Sea of Oman waters are largely unaffected, and fresh fish remains available in local markets. Dairy products also continue to be available in the market as the Sultanate of Oman sources dairy products from multiple local and international suppliers, providing a buffer that supports continued availability in the market.