Retailers assure uninterrupted supply of food items

Leading retailers in the country have assured smooth and uninterrupted supply of most food items for two to three months with their present stock of items.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has reassured the residents of the country on food supply and prices. “There is no need to worry as there is surplus stock of major food products and prices will be stable as most of them are at fixed rates," an MEC statement said yesterday.The recent decision of three GCC countries to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and the decision of Saudi Arabia to block the land transport to Qatar had resulted in several rumours of food scarcity. Government officials have assured continuous supply of food items to the residents of the country and made it clear that the country gets food supplies from a number of countries around the world. Talking to Gulf Times, officials from major hypermarkets in the country said that they have almost all the food items and the present stock itself could last up to three months. They also highlighted that there will not be any increase in the price and all the promotions that they had offered are valid and will go on until the stipulated dates.An official of Quality Group of hypermarkets said that they have stock of about QR 20 million worth food stuff. “We have all the food items and we import from a number of countries. There cannot be any shortage of food as we have dedicated distributors from a large number of countries and the present stock is good enough for more than two months.”“There are number of distributors who are ready to supply the food items on a short notice. We ordered fish on Monday from India and it reached Doha on Tuesday morning through Qatar Airways flight. Similarly, we have made arrangements for egg for at least six months. So there is no need for people go out on a buying spree,” he added. An official from Family Food Centre noted that the stocks at their disposal would last at least two months. “It is a practice with us to stock enough items. So the present situation is not a big issue as we have sufficient stock to cater to the people of the country for next few months. Moreover we have made arrangements to bring fresh chicken from Oman which will start reaching us from today (Wednesday).” A senior official at Safari Mall pointed out that Safari Group has enough stocks that can last for next two months. “We have good amount of food items in stock which can run for months. We also are in touch with our distributors. If needed, we will make alternate arrangements from other places for supply. But I am sure that the present stocks are good enough to meet any eventuality and people should feel relaxed.” An official of a leading chain of hypermarkets in the country said, “Our present stock is enough for three months. Since it is Ramadan time, we have already stocked more quantity to meet the demand. If there is need for more food items we can always arrange it in a very short time. Food and price will not be an issue at all in the coming days and the stocks will always be there.”