In Sri Lanka, Trade and Food Security Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has warned that prices of essential food items in the island nation could rise due to supply disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis. Speaking to media today, he noted the country’s heavy dependence on imports, with more than 80 percent of potatoes and onions sourced from overseas. Food imports account for a significant share of Sri Lanka’s annual import bill, leaving domestic markets vulnerable to global freight costs and shipping delays.

The minister’s comments come at a time when Sri Lanka continues to recover from its 2022 economic crisis, during which severe shortages of fuel and foreign exchange pushed food inflation to record highs. Although conditions have improved, higher fuel prices and quota-based fuel distribution continue to increase transport and distribution costs, adding pressure on retail food prices. Meanwhile, the government reintroduced a QR-code-based fuel allocation system from March 15 to prevent panic buying and hoarding.