Vegetable prices go through the roof

Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Fruit and vegetable prices have shot up to unprecedented levels all over the Kingdom due to a sharp drop in supplies and a spike in demand. A survey conducted by Al-Madinah Arabic daily in central markets and retail shops has found that prices of tomato, zucchini, eggplant, coriander, lettuce and parsley have gone up 100 percent. In the central markets, locally produced tomatoes are now sold for SR5 a kilo instead of SR2 while those imported from Jordan are sold at SR7 in place of SR3. The prices of Turkish tomatoes jumped from SR4 to SR9 a kilo. In retail stores the price is SR12 to SR17 a kilo. Zucchini and eggplant are sold at SR7 to SR9 instead of SR3 in retail shops, lettuce for SR9 instead of SR2 and parsley for SR5 a bundle, in place of SR2. Omar Ali, who makes daily vegetable purchases for a restaurant, said the price hike was not unusual as it happens generally after Haj. However, he noticed that prices have started coming down. Workers at Jeddah Central Vegetable Market expect the prices to drop in a few days. “About 25 trucks carrying 120 tons of local tomatoes arrive here daily, but the demand is for 220 tons,” he said. Aidha Al-Harthi, deputy chairman of the fruit and vegetables committee at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attributed the price hike to the extreme hot weather, which has affected farms not only in Saudi Arabia but also in neighboring countries. “The huge demand during the Haj season is another reason,” he said. Al-Harthi also pointed out that the Saudi market largely depends on local produce because of the political instability in countries such as Syria and Yemen. “The lion’s share of vegetables consumed in Saudi Arabia is produced in Tabuk, Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasser and Jazan.” Al-Harthi allayed fears of residents saying vegetable prices would come down shortly as suppliers and importers have intensified efforts to meet the demand.