Vegetable prices rise as summer sets in

By Ayman Adly/Staff ReporterPrices of vegetables have started rising as the season for locally grown produce comes to an end with the onset of summer. Prices at the wholesale market in Abu Hamur have more than doubled for some vegetables. A box of tomatoes is selling for QR10, while a few days ago it was selling for QR4 or less. Similarly, prices of cauliflower, pepper, eggplants and broccoli have also risen. “Vegetables produced in Qatar are often of good quality and sell at lower prices than others. However, prices are still very reasonable and comparatively cheap compared to the anticipated prices at this time of the season. When local products stop coming to the market, we completely depend on imports,” said Satim, a vendor.Most customers find prices of most of the vegetables reasonable, even though the prices of some items are clearly higher than they were a week ago. However, buying in bulk is not viewed as wise option by most customers as these vegetables cannot be stored for long even if properly refrigerated. “We come here because vegetables here are fresh, no matter what the price is. As they are perishable, there is no point in buying more than what is needed,” said Nawwaf, a local customer.However, prices of the perennial vegetables like potatoes, onions and season fruits like sweet melons remain static. A sack of around 4kg of good quality potatoes is selling for QR 7 while sacks of 5 to 10kg are available at prices ranging from QR10 to QR25. They mostly come from Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. Most varieties of onions come from India, with a mid-sized sack weighing 10kg selling at QR17. Melons of medium size start at QR7 per piece.“Usually, prices here are lower than at shopping malls or corner groceries. But, the quantity is a bargaining factor. If you want to economise, you need to buy in big quantity. But for average family, the bulk buying will result in wastage,” said an Arab housewife. As the market does not have air cooling facility, the summer season would be hard for both customers and vendors, and a bad bargain would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of buyers.