Do food storage and preservation methods—such as storing large quantities of potatoes in refrigerators or by traditional methods—contradict Islamic Sharia, especially if this leads to selling the crop at a loss due to oversupply in the market?
The question comprises two issues: Purchasing goods when prices are low to sell them when prices are high is permissible and does not fall under the blameworthy hoarding (iḥtikār) in Islamic law. As for methods of storing potatoes, the basic ruling is permissibility, as long as it does not lead to harm to people, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "There should be no harm nor reciprocating harm."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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