Ministry of Economic Development has set price ceiling on food staples. The decision comes in the wake of changes announced by State Trading Organization (STO) on the rates at which food staples would be sold.
With the new controlled price in place, a kilogram of standard rice can be sold at a maximum of MVR7.71 in Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll and Shaviyani Atoll in zone one. A kilogram of standard sugar can be sold at a maximum of MVR 7.78 and a kilogram of standard flour can be sold at a maximum of MVR 7.82.
The atolls in zone two are; Noonu Atoll, Raa Atoll, Baa Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll, Kaafu Atoll, Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Vaavu Atoll, Meemu Atoll, Faafu Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll and Thaa Atoll. In zone two the ceiling price for a kilogram of standard rice is MVR 7.58, while the ceiling price for a kilogram of standard sugar is MVR 7.97 and the ceiling price for a kilogram of standard flour is MVR 7.80. The atolls in zone three are Laamu Atoll, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Fuvahmulah City and Addu City. In this region, the ceiling price for a kilogram of standard rice is MVR 7.97. The ceiling price for a kilogram of standard sugar is MVR 8.1 and the ceiling price for a kilogram of standard flour is MVR 6.48.
The ceiling prices were set for zones, after taking labor costs and transportation costs into account, according to the ministry.