The food commodities are available for purchase at 1,200 mobile outlets, 212 fixed outlets and 62 major outlets across the country, especially in areas in the vicinity of field army and army-related institutions, the Armed Forces said in a video released on Wednesday. 

The Armed Forces distributed 1.5 million food ration boxes in the market with a discount reaching up to 60 percent as part of their continued efforts to supply basic food commodities at reasonable prices to meet the demands of the Egyptian people, according to the video.

Ramadan – which will start in early April – typically witnesses an increase in the rate of consumption of food products, leading to a price surge. 

The National Service Projects Organisation (NSPO) is also working to increase its commodity supplies.

The initiative is part of the country’s efforts to tighten control on the market to maintain price stability and secure the availability of goods amid the global developments.

El-Sisi has earlier mandated the government to prepare an emergency plan to mitigate the repercussions of the global crisis, resulting in part from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, by curbing prices and preventing food shortages, while penalising those who exploit the crisis to raise prices unjustifiably.

Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali Moselhi said his ministry will continue to provide meat in various outlets at pre-crisis prices and will ensure that food commodities are available in the market throughout Ramadan.

The supply ministry is also launching the Ahlan (Welcome) Ramadan initiative nationwide this week, offering food ration boxes, and giving out coupons for food commodities for the neediest groups.

The ministry will also distribute 500,000 Ramadan boxes and 800,000kg of meat, 500,000kg of which will be disbursed in Ramadan.

Moselhi added that the We are All One initiative was launched on 16 March as part of efforts to prevent vendors from manipulating prices.
The initiative will run through the end of Ramadan.