Surprise inspections as vegetable prices rise

Abu Dhabi: The price of vegetables has gone up, but the price of fruits remained the same, retailers said yesterday.

Major retail outlets, however, said fluctuations in prices do not affect their rates as they have their own mechanism.

The Ministry of Economy yesterday conducted surprise inspections of vegetable and fruit markets in the capital as part of a special Ramadan campaign.

Retailers said authorities are very strict with them. "About ten officials from various authorities like the Ministry of Economy, the Municipality and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) inspect the market everyday," said a retailer.

Increase

Mohammad Raheem, an Indian who has been working in the market for the last ten years, said the prices of vegetables like cucumber, lettuce, parsley, tomato, potato and onion have gone up during Ramadan.

He said there was a variation in vegetable prices during the last two months.

A wholesale dealer, who did not want to be named, said vegetable prices may go up further because of the high demand during Ramadan in the countries of its origin. "Majority of the vegetables are coming from Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt and there is a high demand in those countries during Ramadan."

Retailers in Mina market said fruits like watermelon, orange, grape, dates and apple will be in demand during Ramadan but their prices are almost stable now.

Mohammad Ali, 45, a Bangladeshi shopkeeper said fruit prices have not gone up ahead of Ramadan. "Prices of oranges from Lebanon, South Africa and Egypt and apples from Iran, Africa, Chile and America have not been affected."

However, a major retail outlet said: "We directly import vegetables and fruits and there is no possibility of shortage in supply. Even though vegetable prices went up in local marts, we have given promotion prices for vegetables," said Bejoy Thomas, Marketing and Sales Manager of Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society.

But he made it clear that super markets have a different business strategy.

RAMADAN PRAYER TIMINGS

• IFTAR 18.27
• Fajr 04.44
• Shuruq 06.04
• Dhuhur 12.21
• Asr 15.48
• Maghrib 18.27
• Isha 19.57
• IMSAK 04.34 (Tomorrow)

- Add 4 minutes for Abu Dhabi, deduct 4 minutes for RAK and 6 minutes for Fujairah.