Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani
Doha, Qatar: Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani has delivered strong reassurances regarding the availability of goods, stability of markets, and the resilience of Qatar’s food security system amid ongoing regional developments.
In an interview aired on Qatar TV yesterday, the Minister said: “We confirm that essential, consumer, and even luxury goods are available in sufficient quantities across all retail outlets.”
He emphasised that Qatar’s strategic reserves of essential commodities remain at safe and sufficient levels due to prior preparedness. The Minister clarified that these reserves have not been used so far, as the country continues to rely on stock held by suppliers and retail outlets.
“The strategic reserves include key food items such as rice, sugar, wheat, cooking oils, and other essential goods, all maintained at levels that fully meet market demand,” said Sheikh Faisal.
The Minister highlighted that Qatar ranks 30th globally in the Global Food Security Index, reflecting the success of national policies in building a flexible and resilient food system capable of addressing challenges.
He also noted that Qatar ranks 19th globally in the Food Systems Index, demonstrating the strength of supply chains and the efficiency of the national food ecosystem in achieving sustainable food security.
The Minister said that more than ten years ago, the Ministry established an Operations Center dedicated to handling market changes and emergency situations. He said that its primary role is to monitor the availability of essential goods in the Qatari market and ensure an uninterrupted supply.
“The center uses advanced electronic systems to track the movement of goods from border entry points to warehouses and retail outlets across all regions of the country, while continuously monitoring stock levels and demand trends,” said Sheikh Faisal.
He said that the Operations Center also oversees field inspection plans, carried out by more than 300 inspectors tasked with monitoring markets, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, maintaining stability, and guaranteeing the availability of goods for citizens and residents.
“Since the beginning of the current situation, approximately 3,000 inspection operations have been conducted daily,” said Sheikh Faisal. The Minister stressed that the Ministry will not tolerate any violations, particularly price manipulation or exploitation, and that legal action will be taken against any offending entities.
For over a decade, he said, the Ministry has developed contingency plans to address risks such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz or disruptions to global shipping routes.
“At the onset of the current situation, these plans were immediately activated, including opening alternative logistics routes and launching the Ministry’s Emergency Operations Room, which operates around the clock in coordination with government entities and the private sector to ensure continuous supply flow,” said Sheikh Faisal.
The Minister said that in coordination with Qatar Airways, urgent air shipments of essential goods have been arranged when needed. So far, he said, more than 300 tonnes of air cargo have been delivered to Qatar, with plans to increase this to 1,000 tonnes, further strengthening supply availability.
The Minister explained that it is natural for some prices to be affected under current global conditions due to increased shipping and transportation costs, as well as higher demand in many countries during crises. “This has led to temporary price increases at the source countries.” However, he expressed confidence that prices will return to normal once conditions stabilise.
He added that Qatar’s large stock reserves help maintain price stability in the local market, minimising the impact of global fluctuations. “The Ministry continuously records the prices of all products and monitors markets daily to ensure compliance with approved pricing,” said Sheikh Faisal. He said that consumers can report violations via the hotline 16001 or through the Ministry’s digital platforms. Complaints are handled immediately and referred to inspection teams for action. The Minister highlighted the importance of domestic industries in supporting market stability and enhancing food security.
He said that Qatar’s industrial sector now includes more than 138 national food factories, operating efficiently to supply the local market. “Domestic production has seen notable growth, with the number of locally produced goods exceeding 2,000 products in 2025, representing a 9% increase compared to 2024,” said Sheikh Faisal.
He said that this reflects the significant expansion of local industrial capabilities and product diversity, while current conditions also present an opportunity for the private sector to contribute to self-sufficiency, expand production, and invest further in food industries.
“The Ministry continues to provide services without interruption through the Single Window Services Center, offering more than 500 electronic services via its website and mobile application,” said Sheikh Faisal.
He said that even before the current situation, approximately 95% of the Ministry’s services were already delivered electronically, ensuring efficiency and accessibility. He said that the Ministry maintains active engagement with the public through its social media platforms, where it shares official information, guidance, and alerts aimed at raising consumer awareness, enhancing transparency, and providing accurate information in a timely manner.
H E Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani reaffirmed that all relevant authorities in Qatar are fully prepared and working in close coordination to ensure continuous supply and market stability. He emphasised that the situation is under control and urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to cooperate in maintaining stability across the country.
