PRICE fluctuations at the country’s main market seem to have ‘shocked’ customers who have not returned despite the cost of fruit and vegetables reducing in recent days.
Traders at the Manama Central Market told the GDN that shoppers were unwilling to accept reasons for the fluctuations, such as the high cost of logistics and commodity shortages, and were blaming them for ‘inflating prices.’
The country’s largest market, which opens at 4am and closes at 3pm, unloads an average of 300 tonnes of fruit and vegetables and nearly half that quantity of meat and fish. The market off Lulu Avenue in the capital houses more than 120 fruit and vegetable retailers, 12 local Bahraini produce stalls, more than 50 grocery retailers, a dozen wholesalers and an open area market where trucks offload items. It also accommodates the fish and meat market with more than 30 stalls in each complex.
The GDN reported earlier this month that tomatoes featured on top of the price shock list as it shot up to BD1 per kilo. Bahrain Chamber resources and food committee chairman and Midway chief executive Khalid Al Ameen had said that imported items had become costlier, while Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry said the surge was due to high prices in countries of origin, fluctuations in weather conditions and a frost wave in the growing countries.
Retailers said price fluctuations had hit them hard during the holy month and they were looking forward to Eid festivities to compensate for the losses.
“Seasonal price rise is a major issue,” said retailer Siddique Mambadan. “There was a shortage of vegetables too because markets were still not fully open. We were unable to convince customers that we were not at fault, now the market is dull with the majority of them not returning.”
The 52-year-old Indian has been selling in the market for the past 19 years.
His colleague Najeeb Ottupara said shortages could also be the result of people hoarding goods during the beginning of the holy month. “This is not unique to Bahrain – people store items and there is an increased demand for lemons, cucumbers, zuchinnis and tomatoes,” he said.
“Citizens and residents were shocked by the sudden increase in prices and they haven’t come back yet, the loss is huge,” said the 31-year-old Indian.
“Hoteliers are our main customers – their numbers reduce during this month – so the market, for us retailers, is not bright – we are waiting for Eid for the business to resume.”
Meanwhile, wholesalers said there were ‘too many players’ on the field.
Indian Riyas Thattarukuzhiyil, 40, who has been trading for more than 20 years, also said that price rises during Ramadan were due to increased demand.
“It’s global – the local market is dependent on the Middle East market, so price increases due to high seasonal consumption,” he said.
“This will subside, prices will stabilise, and the market will gradually return to normal, as is customary.
“There are too many wholesalers for a small market like Bahrain, it would be ideal if this is regulated.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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