Maldives Distributes Millions Of Tuna Cans As Ramadan Gift

Last week, the Maldivian government announced it will distribute 118,000 tuna cases for Ramadan in a bid to support domestic tuna processors and ensure food supply to households during the festive season. A spokesperson for the state-run Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) stated that production of the cans is on track, and the full volume would be produced by this week. According to him, logistical measures have been taken to get the cases with 48 cans to families across the atoll. Officials also believe that the initiative can ensure a social safety net and create a market outlet that keeps domestic processing lines turning during a season of heavy retail demand, reported Prism News.

Last year, during Ramadan, President Mohamed Muizzu introduced an initiative to give every household a box of canned tuna. More than 108,801 cases were distributed in 2025. The Finance Ministry confirmed later that year that it had spent MVR 79 million (USD 5.11 million) on the initiative. The one-month Ramadan festival will begin on February 17 and conclude on March 19.