Minister of Economic Trade Mohamed Saeed says that currently there are no hurdles in importing any essential goods into the Maldives.
His reassurance came as India announced that it had banned onion exports till March next year due to a domestic shortage brought on by unseasonal rains that heavily damaged crops in the neighboring country.
Noting that there are no difficulties importing any essential goods into the Maldives, Minister Saeed said that countries that have a good bilateral relationship with the Maldives would always prioritize the country.
The Minister said that prices in the global food market would always fluctuate and export policies of countries are always subject to change. Saeed said that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu gives the highest priority to the food security of the nation and that the government would achieve this with a sustainable and well-rounded solution.
India has imposed a ban on onion exports until March 31, 2024, following a surge in domestic prices due to crop damage from unseasonal rainfall in Maharashtra.
The Economic Times reported that this move is expected to result in a significant drop in onion prices in January. It said recent surveys by central government officials assessed the damage caused by the rainfall, and while export demand from Bangladesh had initially supported prices, traders anticipate a decline once kharif onions flood the market in January.
