Ministry of Municipality and Environment will open two new winter markets at Al Shahaniya and Muaither in the next season, according to an official.
“In addition to the current winter markets in three areas, Al Mazrouah, Al Khor-Dhakhira and Al Wakrah, we will add two more markets next season. This move is aimed to help serve more areas and also to provide an opportunity to Qatari farmers to sell their products to the customers without intervention of the middlemen,” Yusuf Khalid Al Khulaifi, Director of Agriculture Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment told The Peninsula.
Al Khulaifi also added the winter markets for this season will conclude by the end of May and the ministry has no intention to extend the period.
Last week alone, more than 28, 000 boxes of vegetables, 26.4 tonnes of fruit and 646 birds were sold in the three farmer's markets.The three yards also sold 29kg of honey, 2.7 tonnes of fish and 408 egg boxes.
Al Mazrouah yard had highest sales of vegetables or fruits, compared to the other markets. It sold more than 12000 boxes of vegetables, and more than 11.7 tones of fruits.
Meanwhile, at Al Khor-Dhakhira yard, more than 11000 boxes of vegetables, and 5.3 tones of fruit were sold, while at Al Wakrah yard,9.4 tones of fruit and more than 4000 boxes of vegetables were sold, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said on its official Twitter account.
The three markets offer a variety of vegetable, fruit and poultry products from Qatari farms at attractive prices. The prices are less compared to the central fruit and vegetable market. It provides an opportunity to farmers to sell their products directly to the customers without intervention of the middlemen. The markets are open for three days on weekends from 7am to 5pm, while the shops for animals, fodder store and the slaughterhouse at Al Mazrouah work all through the week.
