It’s all over the news, geopolitics, instability, uncertainty. But here’s the question I’ve been hearing from friends, neighbours, and colleagues:
“What does this mean for the food on our table?”
Hi, I’m Sharon, CEO of Agiliss. For over 60 years, our job has been to make sure Mauritius eats. Today, with instability touching key sourcing regions, that role and our leadership are being tested like never before.
This isn’t just a supply chain challenge. It’s a leadership moment. When 15% of Mauritius’s essential staples are at risk, true leadership means steering through uncertainty with clarity, action, and commitment to the people we serve.
Recently, I had a candid conversation with Business Magazine Mauritius about this pressure. We discussed the realities behind the numbers and the steps we are taking to respond.
Here’s how we’re leading through this to ensure your kitchen stays stocked.
1. The Reality: Your Grocery Basket Under Pressure
15% of our essential staples, including cooking oils, grains, and dry goods, come from affected regions.
Freight costs on some routes are up 25 to 40%.
War-risk insurance has increased by 15 to 25%.
Total landed costs for affected goods have risen 30 to 50%.
2. Leading Through Uncertainty: Our Guiding Principles
Transparency over certainty. We share real impacts openly to build trust.
Proactive over reactive. We shape outcomes, not just respond.
Absorb first, pass later. We protect households before passing on costs.
People before profit. Behind every shipment is a family thinking about their next meal.
3. Leadership in Action: Our Four-Pillar Response
Diversify fast. Leveraging global relationships to onboard suppliers from Southeast Asia, East Africa, and South America.
Buffer strategically. Holding 8 to 10 weeks of stock for critical items.
Hedge wisely. Using forward contracts to manage cost volatility.
Optimise relentlessly. Improving logistics, renegotiating freight, and using multimodal transport.
We are not waiting to see what happens. We are shaping what happens next through decisive leadership.
4. The Leadership Promise: Stability When It Matters Most
Logistics costs for affected routes are up 30 to 50%.
As I shared in the interview, our commitment remains clear. We absorb first and adjust later. We are using every lever to protect Mauritian households before passing on costs. Your plate is our priority.
Food security isn’t political. It’s personal.
It’s the peace of mind that dinner will still be there, even when the world feels unstable.
That has been our mission for six decades. And with the Agiliss team beside me, it is a mission we will continue to deliver with steady, transparent, and responsible leadership.