- Efforts to speed up inspections
- Border points operating at full capacity
- Ministry confirms supply is adequate for market needs
The UAE has confirmed that it is ensuring a steady flow of food, agricultural, and livestock shipments through all its border points ahead of Eid Al Fitr, despite ongoing tensions related to the conflict with Iran.
Eid celebrations will commence on Friday, March 20, with public holidays scheduled from March 20 to March 22.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated that the government is working together to accelerate inspection and clearance processes for various goods, including fresh produce, vegetables, and meat.
This announcement follows multiple visits to agricultural and veterinary quarantine facilities at several entry points to oversee inspection and customs clearance operations.
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, an undersecretary at the ministry, indicated that border crossings across all emirates are functioning at full capacity to satisfy market demand.
From January 1 to March 18, the UAE has imported 1,454 livestock shipments and continues to receive large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables daily, according to Al Nuaimi.
The ministry is expediting procedures immediately upon the arrival of shipments, which shortens the time for goods and fresh products to be transferred from ports to retailers, stated Marwan Al Zaabi, an assistant undersecretary at the ministry.
“There is no shortage of products. However, alternative measures may incur additional costs,” noted Mohammed Alrifai, CEO of NRTC Group, one of the UAE’s leading importers and distributors of fresh produce. He assured that there are no current plans to pass these increased costs onto consumers.
The statement comes amidst the ongoing conflict involving Iran, marked by Tehran’s recent attacks on oil and gas facilities throughout the Gulf.
Earlier on Thursday, the UAE successfully intercepted seven ballistic missiles and 15 drones launched from Iran.
Since the beginning of these assaults, the UAE’s air defense systems have intercepted a total of 334 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,714 drones, as reported by the state-run Wam news agency, citing information from the defense ministry.
