The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) has said that it is taking strict measures to avoid any kind of shortage in vegetables and fruits amid the coronavirus crisis facing the country.

Eng Suleiman Mahfouz al Tobi, general manager, Agricultural and Livestock Marketing and Investment, said, “The ministry regularly monitors supplies in wholesale markets across the governorates and ensures that there are enough stocks.”

Eng Tobi also clarified that onions are available in the market and the ministry is getting it from countries such as Yemen, India, the Netherlands, and even Spain.

“We have enough stocks. More shipments of different agricultural products will arrive in the sultanate next week and be made available to consumers.”

On maintaining prices of goods in the market, he said, “There is a slight rise in prices of some products such as the Turkish and Egyptian lemons (about 100bz), oranges and potatoes (20bz).”

He added that the price of onions has also increased to 500bz per kilogram due to the increased demand. “As many as 26 shipments arrived recently from India and Yemen with around 1,200 tonnes of onions.”

All local fruits and vegetables are available at reasonable prices, he said.

“The prices of imported products are dependent on the situation in the supplying countries such as curfews, production and sale prices, closure of land, air and sea borders and transportation cost due to the spread of the pandemic,” said Eng Tobi.