The State Trading Organisation (STO) has confirmed that shipments of staple foods from Turkey arrived in April, following the bilateral agreements signed during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's official visit to Turkey in November 2023. The visit, which took place from November 26-29, resulted in agreements aimed at diversifying the Maldives' food supply sources.
In a previous statement, President Dr. Muizzu had announced the government's decision to import staple foods from Turkey as part of a strategic plan to address the nation's food security needs. The agreements, signed during the President’s visit, included the import of essential food items such as flour, sugar, and rice.
STO disclosed to PSM News that a shipment of 20,008 bags of flour was brought from Turkey on April 20, 2024. Despite opposition party criticisms claiming that no such shipments had arrived, STO confirmed that the imported staple foods are currently available in local shops. The organisation emphasised they are committed to importing these items based on demand to ensure a steady supply and avoid shortages.
President Dr. Muizzu has previously stated that the government's goal is to make the Maldives more self-reliant and less dependent on a single country for essential food supplies. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to import other staple items, including onions, potatoes, and eggs, from various countries to further strengthen the nation’s food security.
The shipments from Turkey are part of the broader initiative to diversify the Maldives' food sources and stabilise the availability of key food items for the population.