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The country has adequate essential commodities: Importers and traders association
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By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe
The prices of essential commodities may increase if the conflict in West Asia continues, despite adequate stocks being available, Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association said.
The association’s secretary P. Subramaniam said the country currently has sufficient stocks of essential commodities.
He said even if Sri Lanka is unable to import essential goods from West Asia, Pakistan and several other countries, there is still the possibility of importing all of them from India.
He assured there was no risk of a shortage of goods nor a significant increase in the prices.
However, Mr Subramaniam noted that shipping freight charges have already increased, and the cost for a container has increased from Rs. 65,000 to Rs. 80,000.
Most imports to Sri Lanka come via Dubai therefore marine insurance charges have increased due to the war.
“We believe there could be difficulties in bringing containers. It is good that India can obtain oil from Russia, otherwise that issue too would affect Sri Lanka. Even if we cannot import from other countries, we can still import from India. However, everything depends on the West Asian oil supply. If that supply is disrupted, it may become difficult for countries to help one another” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Fertilizer Secretariat confirmed that the country has sufficient stocks of urea stocks required for the upcoming Yala cultivation season.
Director Chandana Lokuhewage told that 105,000 metric tonnes of urea, 35,000 metric tonnes of mud fertiliser, and 39,000 metric tonnes of MOP fertiliser are currently available in stocks.
In addition, he said that 30,000 metric tonnes of urea were imported two weeks ago, and another 60,000 metric tonnes have been ordered from China.
Sri Lanka Customs Department said due to the increase in global oil prices, shipping charges automatically rise, which in turn affects customs-related expenses in the import process.
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