The Al Sailiya Central Market has been witnessing an increasing number of customers in the holy month of Ramadan, looking for fresh vegetables and fruits in particular. However, customers pointed out that retail prices at the market have shot up by almost 20-25% for most types of fresh products.
Some of these consumers told Arabic daily Arrayah that locally produced vegetables have recently been available in average amounts, including tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, cauliflower, broccoli, capsicum, cabbage, leafy vegetables and others.
They cited the example of tomato prices which has seen a considerable rise since the start of the holy month. A box of tomatoes that used to sell for around QR5 is now available for QR25 or higher, with rates varying from one seller to another.
Consumers feel more checks to monitor retail prices especially during this period and ahead of Eid al-Fitr was needed.
Consumer Sultan Abuzwair stressed the importance of price control measures as customer turnout increases at the market and since people often buy more during these times. He claimed the same product was being sold at different prices by different sellers within the market itself.
He noted that prices at the market are far from fixed and mainly depend on a mutual agreement between the seller and buyer and the negotiating skills of both.
Hassan Ali, a visitor to the market, praised the quality and taste of locally produced vegetables, adding this was the reason for the high demand. He suggested more investment in modern technology was needed to enhance local production of different types of vegetables, especially during the hot summer months. This would eventually help stabilise and bring down prices, he said.
Fluctuation in vegetable prices is normal especially as the demand goes up and the amount on display becomes limited, said Abdulrida al-Lingawi.
They cited the example of tomato prices which has seen a considerable rise since the start of the holy month. A box of tomatoes that used to sell for around QR5 is now available for QR25 or higher, with rates varying from one seller to another.
Consumers feel more checks to monitor retail prices especially during this period and ahead of Eid al-Fitr was needed.
Consumer Sultan Abuzwair stressed the importance of price control measures as customer turnout increases at the market and since people often buy more during these times. He claimed the same product was being sold at different prices by different sellers within the market itself.
He noted that prices at the market are far from fixed and mainly depend on a mutual agreement between the seller and buyer and the negotiating skills of both.
Hassan Ali, a visitor to the market, praised the quality and taste of locally produced vegetables, adding this was the reason for the high demand. He suggested more investment in modern technology was needed to enhance local production of different types of vegetables, especially during the hot summer months. This would eventually help stabilise and bring down prices, he said.
Fluctuation in vegetable prices is normal especially as the demand goes up and the amount on display becomes limited, said Abdulrida al-Lingawi.