DOHA: With the onset of summer, some popular fish and vegetables are becoming expensive.
Average central market prices released by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce for the past month (May 8 to June 8) show sharp fluctuations in the prices of some fish species and vegetables.
For example, small Qatari Balul fish was sold for QR67 a kg on average in the month, and Qatari Hamour, popular among locals, was available for QR62 a kg.
Small Qatari Rabib fish was retailed for QR39 a kg, big Fasker fish was the cheapest at QR9/kg and Shery sold for QR10/kg.
The month also saw shortages of some popular vegetables like tomato and cucumber so their prices went up slightly. Qatari tomatoes were not available last month as the growing season ended and tomatoes were mostly imported from Jordan and sold for QR4.5 a kg on average.
The ministry tracks prices of fruits and vegetables daily and it is mandatory for retailers to announce prices on a daily basis.
Qatari cucumber was available at the central market for QR4.47 a kg on average, and Jordanian ‘khoosa’ and capsicum were sold for QR5.16 and QR6 a kg, respectively.
The ministry said prices of other vegetables were stable. Saudi green peas (whose season being winter is over) were the costliest of all vegetables (at the central market) and sold for QR10.3 per kg.
Lettuce was sold for QR4.8 a kg and Indian onions QR2.5/kg. Australian carrots retailed for QR6/kg but those from Saudi Arabia were cheaper, at QR2.8/kg on average.
The ministry said fruit prices were stable in the month. American apples were available for QR5.8 a kg on average and Egyptian lemon was sold for QR6.2 per kg.
Chinese apples were marginally cheaper at QR5 per kg, while African orange was sold for QR3.4 a kg.
Philippines banana and pineapple were sold for QR6.2 and QR6 per kg on average, respectively, according to the ministry figures.
The Peninsula
