Bulk buying sees spike in fruit and veg prices

Prices of fruits and vegetables in Qatar have increased by 30 to 45 percent due to bulk-buying ahead of Ramadan, according to traders and vendors at the Central Vegetable market.

Food sales typically rise by 25 percent in the region during Ramadan, prompting prices to go up by a similar amount.

“For some fruits and vegetables the prices have gone up by five to 15 riyals more than the normal price,” Mohammad Ganeef, a trader at the Doha Central Fruit and Vegetable Market told The Peninsular. “Tomatoes are now being sold at QR22 ($6) per kilo as compared to QR16 per kilo last week.”

Prices of food items imported from Saudi Arabia have increased considerably, particularly the price of cabbage which has risen from QR16 a kilo to QR22 per kilo.

Fruits have seen a tremendous price rise with the price of mangos going up to QR30 per kilo from QR15 per kilo.

A regular vendor at the market said price fluctuation is normal in the days ahead of Ramadan. “The rise in prices will continue for some time, after which it will stabilise,” he told the newspaper.

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