• Deputy Trade Minister assures rice, flour, sugar and dhal stocks secure; no immediate shortages
• Imports flow from India, Pakistan, Australia, US and Middle East amid shipping concerns
• Traders warn prices up 5–10% as freight costs rise and rupee weakens

Sri Lanka has enough essential food stocks to last at least one and a half months despite mounting concerns over the escalating Middle East conflict, Deputy Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister R.M. Jayawardhana said yesterday (9).

Rice, wheat flour, sugar and dhal are currently available in imported stocks already in the country, while onions, lentils, canned fish and spices sourced largely from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada and Australia continue to arrive through regular supply lines. A significant portion of sugar, fish and seafood is imported directly from the Middle East, while dairy products and processed foods are mainly brought in from the US. Industry sources note that these imports form the backbone of the country’s staple food supply.

“For now, we have commodities in our imported stocks. So currently, there shouldn’t be a shortage or related problems,” Jayawardhana told The Daily Morning.

He acknowledged, however, the situation would depend on how long the conflict continues and the timing of upcoming shipments. “We will have to see if the war drags on for another week or so to determine anything but for now, we have no issues,” he said. “We have upcoming shipments along with the previously arrived stocks in storage. Therefore, we should be good at least for around a month and a half.”

On concerns about maritime disruptions, the Deputy Minister said there was no indication of a complete halt in shipments. “I am not aware of any delayed ships, but the President cautioned us recently that there would be delays of a day or two for some of our ordered products, given the situation,” he added.

The assurances come as tensions in the Middle East intensify following the recent attack on Iran by US-backed Israel, prompting fears over the security of key naval trade routes. Any prolonged disruption in shipping lanes could directly affect Sri Lanka’s food imports, which rely heavily on international freight networks.

Meanwhile, the Essential Food Commodities’ Importers and Traders Association has warned that prices in the local market have already risen by between five and 10 per cent. The increase has been attributed to higher freight charges and the recent depreciation of the rupee.

While officials insist that stocks remain stable for now, traders say the real test will come if hostilities persist and freight costs continue to climb.