Crossword Genius

Rites are performed by vital suppliers (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arteries

'vital suppliers' is the definition.
(arteries supply blood)

'rites are performed' is the wordplay.
'performed' indicates an anagram.
'rites'+'are'='ritesare'
'ritesare' is an anagram of 'ARTERIES'.

'by' is the link.

(Other definitions for arteries that I've seen before include "Blood vessels leading from the heart" , "Major thoroughfares for important traffic" , "Vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body" , "Blood vessels - major roads" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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