Consumers complained of recording the prices of different varieties of vegetables in outlets in Dubai and Sharjah, high rates, finally, noting that the increases began to appear gradually from the beginning of this month, noting that the increases included major varieties, most notably tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.
The «Emirates Today» monitored in a field tour, price increases in some varieties of vegetables in sales outlets ranging between 26 and 32%.
Officials of companies that trade vegetables and fruits pointed out that the increases are temporary, due to the cold climate that affected some countries of origin and local crops. Finally, the relative reduction in supply shipments from some companies with the start of the local season, in addition to increasing demand in the markets, noting that it is expected Prices are to return to their rates before the end of this month, gradually, supported by an increase in the supply of local season items.
Field trip
In detail, a field tour showed «Emirates Today» on retail outlets in Dubai and Sharjah, increases in prices of a number of vegetable varieties, the most prominent of which are locally-produced tomatoes, of which the price of a kilogram reached 6.95 dirhams, compared to previous prices of 5.5 dirhams, an increase Its rate is 26%, while the price of a kilogram of the local option was 5.95 dirhams, compared to previous prices of 4.5 dirhams, an increase of 32%. The price of Jordanian origin lettuce increased to seven dirhams per kilogram, compared to an earlier price of 5.5 dirhams, an increase of 27%, and the price of a kilogram of Australian islands originating to 6.25 dirhams, compared to an earlier price of 4.95 dirhams, an increase of 26.2%. The price of a kilogram of locally created red cabbage reached 6.95 dirhams, compared to the previous price of 5.5 dirhams, an increase of 26%.
Significant increases
The consumer, Hossam Ismail, said that he was surprised by the large increases in the prices of vegetable items, recently, with a number of outlets, especially local tomatoes and cucumbers, and despite the spread of promotional offers in the outlets, they did not succeed in reducing the prices of those items.
The consumer, Abeer Mustafa, pointed out that a number of the major vegetable varieties that are relied on to purchase for families almost daily, have witnessed various increases in sales outlets, recently, and included lettuce and tomatoes, which reflected negatively on increasing the burden on the budget of the number of families.
The consumer, Saber Hassan, added that the recent increases in the prices of some vegetables varieties started gradually since the beginning of this month, until they appeared significantly in sales outlets, and included major items, which made them a new burden on families.
The beginning of the season
Issa Najib Khoury, director of the Merak Group of Companies for the Trade and Supply of Vegetables and Fruits, said that “the recent increases in the prices of some vegetable varieties are due to the cold climate wave that hit some countries of origin during the last period, in addition to their impact on the local season, The increases also came in line with the high demand movement in the markets, during the winter holidays season, New Year's Day celebrations, and the great popularity of tourist groups in the country.
He added that «one of the reasons for the occurrence of some price increases, finally, is that production from the local agricultural season is still in its infancy, while the supply of the local crop of various varieties is expected to increase during the coming period, and therefore it is expected that prices will return to record decreases by large proportions before the end of current month".
Import shipments
For his part, Sherif Waheed, director of “Sour and Sweet” commercial company to supply food and vegetables added that “there are a number of factors that led to high prices of a number of vegetable varieties in the local markets, the most prominent of which is the reduction of some companies to the quantities of import shipments, within the framework of preparedness The variables of the local season, which is still in its early stages, and this was accompanied by large increases in demand in the markets, supported by the increase in prices.
He pointed out that «price increases are a temporary stage and will end before the end of this month, with the introduction of greater quantities of products of the local agricultural season, and stability of demand indicators in the markets, which witnessed their climax in the first week of January», pointing out that «lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers It was one of the most prominent items that witnessed price increases, recently, and varied from one port to another, according to supply agreements.
The vegetable trader, Mohamed Bashir, stressed that “the price increases in some vegetables varieties are due to several factors, the most prominent of which are the variables of the increases in the prices of supply companies from countries of origin, because of the cold wave that hit some countries of the region, finally, in addition to that local production is still in its beginning and not It is sufficient to cover the large demand in the markets, ”indicating that“ the increases are temporary and prices will return to their basic indicators quickly. ”
Retail outlets
The head of the group of suppliers of vegetables and fruits operating under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President of Farzana Commercial Company, Mohammed Al Sharif, stressed that «prices in a number of retail outlets are higher for vegetable varieties, compared to their counterparts offered in the vegetable sale markets, with some intermediaries in The supply of these outlets, compared to direct sales to consumers in the markets, ”pointing to the presence of“ sufficient stocks of vegetable crops, and a continuous diversification of import in Dubai markets that is sufficient to quickly eliminate any temporary price hikes. ”
- Increasing the supply of local season varieties will support the return of prices to their normal levels.
26%
Increase in the price of home-grown tomatoes to 6.95 dirhams.