High prices for desert truffles

The prices of imported desert truffles are currently high in the Qatar market, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported. For instance a box of about 1.25kg of Saudi truffles cost QR1,800, those from Libya QR1,300, and from Algeria at QR1,200. Such prices were seen for the prime quality types called Zubaidi. However, the other type called Khalas were sold for lower prices for the same amounts for instance the Saudi sold for QR950, and the Algerians QR700.The sellers attributed the high prices to the limited imports as it is the beginning of the season. Most customers have opted to wait until the prices drop to reasonable levels when supply improve.The sellers expect that the prices will drop considerably within the next fortnight when more supplies of different types hit the market from Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has allocated 10 selling points for truffle retailers at the traditional market. Desert truffles, locally known as Fagaa, is a natural subterranean fungi that grows under the sands of the desert during the rainy season. It is considered a rare delicacy and cooked and served in different ways as part of the local traditional cuisine.