The middle eastern diplomatic standoff that has led to the isolation of Qatar by seven countries might finally be taking its toll on the oil-rich nation. According to reports, there are suspicions that there might be food shortages in the country and supermarkets in Qatar have experienced unprecedented overcrowding today. However, the Qatari government has come out strongly and stated that those fears are unfounded.

No food shortage

The overcrowding at several supermarkets in Qatar had sent alarm bells ringing across the country, which also happens to be the richest in the world per capita.

United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which are among the seven countries that severed ties with Qatar are among the biggest exporters to the country. As a result, it is only natural that there were widespread fears that country might be staring at a Food Shortage.

However, the government has allayed such fears by categorically stating that there is no such problem and the country has enough food reserves as well as other sources of food supply to take care of the food situation in Qatar. The Ministry of Economy & Commerce released their statement today through a video and the narrator stated that the government has a provision in place by way of which it is sufficiently capable of tackling any problems with food imports.

Additionally, Qatar has been getting the regular supply of food from other countries with which it still has trading relations. The narrator added that the members of the public would not have to worry about any rise in food prices either and a rise in price, if any, will be announced by the relevant ministry.

Additionally, Qatar has been getting the regular supply of food from other countries with which it still has trading relations.

The narrator added that the members of the public would not have to worry about any rise in food prices either and a rise in price, if any, will be announced by the relevant ministry.

Just empty boasts?

In spite of the Qatari government's bold stance about the food supply problem currently engulfing the country, it is necessary to look at the facts behind the statement that was made today.

The country has a population of 2.7 million, which is not much by global standards but what would definitely be a cause for concern is the fact that a lion's share of the food required to feed the population is imported. Of that, 38% is imported from Saudi Arabia, which has severed all ties with Qatar along with 6 other countries and this is something that the country will have to address sooner rather than later. Conversely, this could also be a panicked reaction from the people to rumors of food shortage and any unexpected rise in food prices, in case the standoff drags on for some time.