With the increase in varieties of vegetables at farmers' markets, the number of visitors have also increased giving relief to agricultural producers and traders.
Cabbages and fenugreeks (a leafy vegetable known as methi for most Asian communities) are recently added to the varieties of vegetables to the farmer’s markets located at Al Mazrouah, near Umm Salal, Al Khor-Dhakhira and Al Wakrah.
“Demands for vegetables surged significantly this week compared to previous two weeks, Mohamad Iqbal, a salesman at Al Mazrouah, told The Peninsula.
“The sale has reached to an average QR1,700 per day on Thursday and Friday. However, first week it was about QR900 per day and second week last week the sale had increased to QR1,300 per day”, Iqbal said.
“With addition of varieties available at farmers' markets, our production capacity went up from 80 boxes per day in first week to 120 boxes this week. Within next few weeks we expect major vegetables like tomato, capsicum, chilli, cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce among others,” he added.
Yesterday, the outlets at Al Mazrouah showcased eggplants, zucchini (Kusa), bottle guard, rocket leaves (Jarjir), cucumbers, cabbages and fenugreeks among others.
Prices of vegetables showcased at the farmers’ markets fluctuate like those in Doha-Central Market. "Price list is being issued on daily basis," said another salesman. A box of 5kg eggplant sold at QR12 on Thursday was priced QR7 yesterday. Price of Kusa also fell by QR4 per box. However, the bottle guard of 7kg increased from QR8 to QR11 per box.
“I am a regular visitor of Al Mazrouah throughout the season. The agricultural products showcased at farmer’s markets are not only fresh but they are cheaper than Central Market, forget the shopping complexes and groceries,”a customer told The Peninsula.
"The commercial outlets operating in Doha downtown and those in suburbs and even in remote areas have no comparison to winter markets in terms of fresh produces and competitive prices," he added.
The agricultural farms that could not report on first and second week for some reason have joined the winter markets this week. No outlets were found empty at Al Mazrouah yesterday. All participating farms registered their presence with a large quaintly of produce.
More than 80 Qatari vegetable farms, 40 animal farms and three fisheries are participating this season.
There is a poultry and bird shop as well. The outlets selling vegetables, fish, birds are open for three days (Thursday to Saturday) from 7am to 5pm. However, the shops for animals and the slaughterhouse at Al Mazrouah will work seven days in a week.
