Ministry of Trade Confirms Securing Three-Month Strategic Food Basket Reserve

The Ministry of Trade announced on Wednesday that it has secured the food basket with a strategic reserve sufficient to cover the country's needs for three months. The Ministry emphasized its adoption of modern systems for the storage and supply of materials, along with ambitious plans to develop and construct new warehouses in line with international standards. Ahmed Ali Abdul Redha, the media director for the General Company for Food Trade, affiliated with the Ministry, stated that "the operation follows a consistent methodology focused on maintaining a strategic reserve of food basket items for a minimum of three months, in anticipation of any emergency circumstances the country might face." He added that "supply chains remain uninterrupted and continuous." Abdul Redha further explained that "legumes arrive in the country via the Zakho border crossing from Turkey, and their supply movement has not been affected, while sugar and oil are sourced from local production, with Union factories in Babil province operating at full capacity." He clarified that "rice, considered one of the most important components of the food basket, continues to be supplied via Jordan through the Port of Aqaba, in addition to other shipments arriving via the Turkish Port of Mersin." He affirmed that "the company relies on multiple international origins for importing a single commodity to reduce risks and ensure the fluidity and sustainability of supply." The official highlighted that "storage and supply operations are subject to advanced governance and automation systems, utilizing specialized programs for inventory control and modern electronic procedures." He noted that "inter-provincial transport operations are conducted continuously by a dedicated shipping fleet belonging to the Ministry, which comprises approximately 750 trucks or more, ensuring efficient delivery of materials." Abdul Redha also indicated that "the Quality Control Department within the company holds international quality certifications (ISO) and certificates from the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control, serving as an arbitration authority for matters related to food items. All materials undergo rigorous laboratory testing before being approved for distribution." Furthermore, Abdul Redha revealed the "development of a five-year strategic and investment plan aimed at establishing 100 hypermarkets across all Iraqi provinces." He clarified that "the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had previously affected supply movement, but the company successfully found alternatives to ensure the uninterrupted arrival of food supplies." He concluded by stating that "the company is working on developing infrastructure and constructing new warehouses according to the latest international standards," explaining that "there are warehouses under development in Rustamiyah, and others under construction in Holy Karbala, in addition to completed warehouses in Babil and Saladin provinces, as part of a comprehensive plan to expand the Ministry's storage capacities." He also mentioned that "the company has rehabilitated several damaged warehouses by upgrading their infrastructure and equipping them with modern specifications, thereby enhancing their ability to manage and store food items with high efficiency."