At Al Sailiya Central Market, the scarcity of locally produced vegetables has led to an uptick in the prices of various vegetable types, notably tomatoes, capsicum, and leafy greens, as reported by the Arrayah. The limited availability is attributed to the adverse weather conditions and the conclusion of the agricultural season, resulting in a predominance of imported fruits from around the globe. Notable price variations were observed, with tomatoes priced between QR18-24 per box based on quality, eggplants at QR17-21, and zucchinis at QR33 per box.
Consumers like Ahmed Youssef have observed a noticeable increase in prices and a decline in the freshness of some vegetable types, attributed to the hot climate and reduced local agricultural output. Conversely, Mohamed al-Nuaimi considers the price surge reasonable, given the import reliance and the competitive pricing at Al Sailiya Central Market compared to other retail outlets. Amidst these trends, the market has seen the arrival of the first batches of locally produced fresh dates, with prices ranging from QR15-70 per kilogram, alongside Omani fresh dates priced between QR30-40 per kilogram. Despite high initial prices due to limited early-season availability, expectations are set for price stabilization as more Qatari farms begin to supply the market towards the month's end.
Despite the high prices, there is a robust demand for local dates among Qataris, valued for their delicacy. Market salesmen indicate a willingness to offer discounts on large purchases, anticipating a normalization of prices with increased supply.
[ QR1 = €0.25 ]
Source: gulf-times.com