File picture used for representation only.
Doha: Local agricultural produce is giving tough competition to the imported ones at Doha Central Market. The locally produced vegetable and fruits have pulled down the prices of vegetables significantly in the markets.
A number of local vegetables and other produce from Qatari farms have hit the markets here with favourable weather setting in. A box of 3kg green bean that was selling at QR33, until a few days ago, was available for QR12 in the Central Market.
The outlets showcased two types of spinach (red and green), two varieties of radish (red and white), fenugreek leaves, dill, coriander, rocket leaves (Jarjir/Arugula), mint, green onion and garlic chives among others.
A bunch of leafy vegetables was available at QR2, two pieces for QR3 and three pieces at QR5. A box of seven pieces was being sold at QR7. Other locally produced vegetables include cucumber, eggplant, zucchini (Kusa), and bottle gourd. Prices of a box of five to seven kg of these vegetables range from QR8 to QR12.
“Local produce has helped decrease the prices and increased the quantities of the vegetables in the market,” a trader at the retail vegetables’ market told The Peninsula yesterday.
“Bunches of leafy vegetables locally produced are much fuller. A bunch of local produce comprises 30 to 40 percent more leafs than those imported from Saudi Arabia and other neighbouring countries,” said the trader.
To encourage the farmers and promote the local products, all vegetables showcased at the retail vegetables’ market are from local farms.
Huge crowd of customers were seen at the central market this weekend to buy fresh agricultural produces. Many turned up much before the market opened at 7:30am.
“The retail market remains open from 7:30 in the morning to 10 in the evening, however the yard for trading imported items is closed by noon,” said a trader. Early morning rush is attributed to the fact that newly harvested farm fresh vegetables are available at that time.
However, farmer’s markets in Al Mazrouah, near Umm Salal, Al Khor-Dhakhira and Al Wakrah have taken their toll on the retail market at the Central Market.
“Our sales have decreased about 50% after the farmers’ markets had opened,” said a vendor at Central Market.
“However, we have a still pretty good sale, which peaks during weekends. We have three salesmen in the stall and all are busy with customers. All vegetables showcased at our outlet is from our own local farm. Our farm can supply about a thousand boxes of various vegetables each day. We have also outlets in farmers’ markets,” said the vendor.
“I used to buy vegetables, fruits, fish, chicken and meat from Central Market on a weekly basis,” said a customer. “I hardly buy these items from supermarkets or other commercial outlets because those available in the Central Market are fresh and cheaper. Local produce is a great relief to the families with limited income and workers thanks to the national food security programme. The programme should be expanded to decrease the dependency on imported agricultural produce,” he added.
