In Oman, a notable increase in the cost of fruits and vegetables, attributed to heightened import expenses and a decline in local supply due to seasonal variations and weather conditions, has significantly affected consumers. Data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information reveals that vegetable prices escalated by more than 20% in July 2024 relative to the previous year, with fruit prices witnessing a 7.6% rise. This surge has notably contributed to Oman's inflation rate reaching 1.53% in July, up from 0.7% in June, and pushed the country's annual food inflation rate to 4.53%.
Discussions with consumers and specialists in agriculture shed light on the factors behind these price increases. Ghosn al Rashidi, Secretary of the Omani Agriculture Association, pinpointed the scarcity of local produce as the primary reason for the high vegetable prices, noting that climatic conditions have also played a role. Khaled al Bouiqi, a local farmer, mentioned that vegetable production in Oman peaks from December to June, leading to lower prices during this period due to the abundance of produce. However, the current reliance on more costly imports has led to price hikes.
Nasser al Hosani, an economic analyst, proposed several strategies to counteract these price increases, such as the development of additional greenhouses, land reclamation in North Batinah and Dhofar, and promoting agriculture as a viable career path for Omani youth.
Consumers like Ali al Balushi and Ismail Khan have expressed concerns over the financial strain caused by these rising costs, noting the challenge in maintaining a balanced diet due to the inflated prices of essential vegetables and fruits. Similarly, Sameer Verma, an engineer and a vegetarian, highlighted the impact on families that rely heavily on fresh produce for their dietary needs, pointing out the difficulty in affording fruits and vegetables, which are essential for health but have become prohibitively expensive.
Source: muscatdaily.com