Closure of veg market took many customers by surprise
May 14, 2017 | 11:30 PM
The popular Sharafiah vegetables market was teeming with customers until it was closed last week. — SG photo by Irfan Mohammed
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By Irfan Mohammed
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The unexpected closure of the popular fruit and vegetables market in Jeddah's Sharafiah area four days ago has caused difficulties for shoppers, especially Asian families who visit the market in droves on weekends.
Thousands of customers who came to Sharafiah this Friday and Saturday hoping to make their vegetable purchases had to return home empty-handed as the market remained shut.
The market, a though tiny place mostly dominated by Bangladesh vendors, is known for fresh and high quality farm produce, both local and imported.
Many Asian expatriates, especially those from southern India, used to visit the market because certain vegetables were either not available or being sold at very high prices at retail stalls and supermarkets.
Families from different parts of the city used to visit Sharafiah to buy their preferred vegetables. However, the area, which normally teems with customers, wore a desolated look for most part of the week. As the market remained closed, many customers simply do not know where to buy their preferred vegetables.
"Every week I come from Rabigh to buy fresh vegetables, but I was surprised to find the market closed," said Mohammed Majeed Khan, an Indian technician.
"We were not aware of the closure of the market. Now I am going to nearby shops for buying vegetables," said a Pakistani man who had come with his family from the Mahjar area of south Jeddah.
The vendors said they incurred huge losses because the market remained shut especially on the weekend. They said some internal dispute between the contractor and the municipality has resulted in the temporary closure of the market.
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The unexpected closure of the popular fruit and vegetables market in Jeddah's Sharafiah area four days ago has caused difficulties for shoppers, especially Asian families who visit the market in droves on weekends.
Thousands of customers who came to Sharafiah this Friday and Saturday hoping to make their vegetable purchases had to return home empty-handed as the market remained shut.
The market, a though tiny place mostly dominated by Bangladesh vendors, is known for fresh and high quality farm produce, both local and imported.
Many Asian expatriates, especially those from southern India, used to visit the market because certain vegetables were either not available or being sold at very high prices at retail stalls and supermarkets.
Families from different parts of the city used to visit Sharafiah to buy their preferred vegetables. However, the area, which normally teems with customers, wore a desolated look for most part of the week. As the market remained closed, many customers simply do not know where to buy their preferred vegetables.
"Every week I come from Rabigh to buy fresh vegetables, but I was surprised to find the market closed," said Mohammed Majeed Khan, an Indian technician.
"We were not aware of the closure of the market. Now I am going to nearby shops for buying vegetables," said a Pakistani man who had come with his family from the Mahjar area of south Jeddah.
The vendors said they incurred huge losses because the market remained shut especially on the weekend. They said some internal dispute between the contractor and the municipality has resulted in the temporary closure of the market.
