I can't speak for all of the Middle East, but it is known that morocco buys enormous amounts of grain and stockpiles huge reserves for exactly that reason. Ever

I can't speak for all of the Middle East, but it is known that morocco buys enormous amounts of grain and stockpiles huge reserves for exactly that reason. Everyone knows that once bread starts missing, there's no going back. So while the state is very very bad at doing a lot of stuff, and is plagued with corruption at all levels, it's been reliably very good at getting grain and making sure the prices are fine no matter the costs. I've had family members who were more or less in charge of the state procurement of grains, and they have always always put an emphasis on how seriously the whole thing is dealt with. I wonder how the current price swings are hurting the state coffer, though. But, once governments can't afford the subsidies, you get situations like what's currently happening in Kazakhstan.