Business & Money | Saturday 4 April, 2015 10:46 am |

Operation Decisive Storm is not raising the prices or delaying the import of food into the Kingdom, traders said here recently.
They reportedly said that imports are flowing normally through the Strait of Bab El-Mandeb, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
They dismissed predictions that commodity prices may rise in the coming weeks due to conflict in the region.

Importers said there is enough stock of basic goods to last for more than three months, including oil, rice and sugar. These products are imported from various ports without any delays, they said.

Yousef Al-Qafari, chief executive officer of Othaim Markets, said: “The Kingdom’s import and export of food products are not impacted by the current events in the region, including Decisive Storm.” He said the Strait of Bab El-Mandeb is a secure and stable international line.

Al-Qafari said prices would remain stable because there is enough stock available. There was likely to be a gradual decline in prices because of falling oil prices, he said.
Shibl Al-Naimi, duty manager at Al-Tamimi Markets, said the war is unlikely to have an impact on the food market in the short and medium term. However, there could be an impact if it continues for a long period.
He said consumers should rest assured that importers are ensuring there is adequate provision of all goods.