The three winter markets at Al Mazroua, Al Khor & Dakhira and Al Wakra have sold more than 682 tonnes of vegetables and 278 tones of fruit during the first four weeks of the opening, and around 70 percent of varieties of vegetables are available in the markets, a senior official at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said.
“During the first four weeks of the opening, the markets sold also more than 15 tonnes of fish and 1094 heads of livestock, and during all these weeks, there was an increase of sales by more than 15 percent.”, said Abdul Rahman Al Sulaiti, General Supervisor of the Winter Markets.
They provide an opportunity for farmers to sell their products directly to the customers without intervention by the middlemen, and offer a wide variety of vegetables and poultry products from Qatari farms at attractive prices.
“The agricultural produce offered at the markets are increasing 15 to 20percent every week compared to the first week of the opening; five weeks ago. Around 70 percent of varieties of vegetables are available in the markets. Other types of vegetables such as tomatoes are available in limited quantity because their harvest time will only start after two weeks. All varieties will be available in the middle of next month,”
He said that the increase in number of Qatari farms participating in the markets and increase in agricultural produce would positively affect the prices and quality due to commercial competition between farmers and make them provide produce of high quality at low prices.
The number of Qatari farms offering agricultural produce in three winter markets at Al Mazroua, Al Khor & Dakhira and Al Wakra has increased from 80 farms five weeks ago to the current 90 farms, he added.
The markets are offering a variety of vegetables and poultry products from Qatari farms at economical prices, and the prices are less by 20 to 30 percent compared to central market and there is a big demand from customers at the markets, Al Sulaiti yesterday told The Peninsula. He also pointed out that the Ministry of Municipality and Environment is gearing up to open more markets to sell local agricultural products “In the first quarter of the next year, the Ministry is planning to open three new markets in areas like Al Ruwais, Al Sailiya and Al Sheehaniya by participating of 50 Qatari farms.”
He said that many other local edible products like honey, dairy products, and eggs were available at the winter markets to meet the need of customers.
The winter markets are open during Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7am to 5pm.