Muscat – The demand for essential food commodities, particularly vegetables and fruits, is expected to rise significantly during this period. To meet this increased demand, various stakeholders are working proactively to ensure the availability and affordability of food items throughout the month.

Othman bin Ali al Hatali, Director of Operations at the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market (Silal), highlighted the efforts to ensure an adequate supply of both local and imported produce. He confirmed that during the period from February 10 to February 17, 2025, a total of 236 trucks carrying 5,970 tons of imported vegetables and fruits arrived at the market. In addition, the market received 3,160 tons of local agricultural products, helping to ensure that the market can meet the expected demand.

To facilitate smooth operations, the market has established specific working hours for receiving deliveries. Trucks carrying wholesale goods will be received from 4 am to 2 pm, while local agricultural products will be accepted in two periods: from 4 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 11 pm. These hours will remain in effect throughout the week, except Fridays.

In terms of health and safety, Othman Hattali pointed out the continuous monitoring conducted by the Silal team to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety regulations. The team is also coordinating with government agencies, such as the Royal Oman Police and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, to ensure the smooth flow of goods and maintain market stability. In addition, 185 product samples have been tested for safety, ensuring the quality of produce available to consumers.

To further ensure market stability during the busy Ramadan period, the Directorate General of Consumer Protection Authority in Dhofar Governorate is ramping up efforts to monitor commodity prices and control the availability of expired goods. The Directorate is also conducting market surveys to protect consumers from misleading promotional offers.

Health authorities are also on alert, with the Dhofar Municipality’s Health Control Department intensifying inspection campaigns to monitor food safety, especially in high-demand food sectors like meat sales, bakeries, and restaurants. The department aims to ensure that food establishments adhere to health regulations, providing safe and healthy food to consumers.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has also assured the public of an adequate supply of live meat and fish, with a focus on maintaining stable prices. Since February 1, 169,200 heads of live meat have been imported, including cows, sheep, and goats; fish will be available in the markets even in the event of adverse climatic conditions.

The Consumer Protection Authority is also enhancing its efforts to monitor food prices and prevent market manipulation. The authority has emphasized its commitment to controlling prices and inspecting both small and large shopping centers. It will also focus on preventing misleading commercial advertisements, especially those related to Ramadan offers. Furthermore, the Authority is conducting awareness campaigns to ensure consumers are not misled by false advertising.

To support low-income families, the CPA has launched the ‘Ramadan Basket’ initiative in collaboration with private entities. This initiative offers integrated food baskets at discounted prices, easing the financial burden on families during the holy month. The CPA is also ensuring that merchants do not exploit the demand for food by inflating prices.