In a landmark decision to protect household budgets and strengthen national food security, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration has approved the addition of 23 new items to the Maldives’ essential food list. The move, announced by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, expands the previous list of staples—rice, sugar, and flour—bringing the total number of essential items to 26.
Under this initiative, the State Trading Organization (STO) has been entrusted with importing and distributing these products at fair and affordable prices to citizens across the country. The implementation is expected to be completed before October 15, 2025, as part of President Muizzu’s broader strategy to make basic necessities accessible to all.
🔹 Oranges at MVR 35/kg – First Step Already in Motion
Demonstrating swift action, STO has already begun rolling out the first of the 23 new items. Last week, oranges were made available at MVR 35 per kilogram through STO People’s Choice outlets, significantly undercutting prevailing market rates. STO has confirmed that orange stocks will be increased in the coming week, and apples will also enter the market shortly.
To support this expansion and ensure year-round availability of perishable goods, STO has established a modern cold storage facility in the Malé Industrial Village, reflecting the administration’s investment in long-term infrastructure to support food security.
🔹 Toward Food Sovereignty: Local Farming & Overseas Investment
Beyond imports, the government will identify which of the 23 new items can be cultivated locally, promoting domestic agriculture to reduce import dependency. Simultaneously, the administration plans to invest in fertile agricultural lands abroad to strengthen supply chains and reduce pressure on foreign currency reserves, a critical step toward economic resilience.
🔹 A Government That Delivers
With decades of proven reliability in securing food supplies, STO is poised to execute this mandate with full efficiency. A spokesperson emphasized:
“This is a government that listens to the people and delivers on its promises. The era of essential goods being out of reach is over. Every citizen—regardless of income—will have consistent access to high-quality, affordable food”.
This bold initiative reflects President Muizzu’s vision of a people-first economy, where basic necessities are guaranteed, market manipulation is curbed, and national food independence is steadily pursued.
As the October implementation deadline approaches, the public can expect greater availability, fairer prices, and more choice at every STO outlet—ensuring that the Maldivian table is never left empty.
