Some vegetable prices go up by 200 percent Okaz/Saudi Gazette DAMMAM – Prices of cucumbers and zucchinis went up by as much as 200 percent on the first day of Ramadan compared to the previous three days. A 15-kilogram box of cucumbers rose from SR40 to SR120. A 15-kilogram box of zucchinis is now sold for SR120, up from SR60. The price of okra also increased with a box costing SR130 compared to SR70; a SR7 box of tomatoes (three kilograms) is now sold for SR10. Malek Al-Faraj, a merchant, said price hikes are normal before Ramadan because of the huge demand for certain types of vegetables. He expects prices to start decreasing by Wednesday with less demand. He expects a box of zucchinis and a box of tomatoes to be sold for SR90 to SR100. Tomato and fruit prices were stable because of different sources and competition, he said. The sudden rise in prices is attributed to high demand during Ramadan. In May this year, the Saudi Gazette reported that the prices of vegetables had dropped by more than 70 percent at Jeddah's Vegetable Market “Halaqa” because of abundant supply. But in the same month, vegetable prices in Madina were very high. Okaz/Saudi Gazette had documents showing the huge differences in wholesale and retail prices at Madina's vegetable market. In some cases, prices had been raised by between 20 and 127 percent. For example, the retail price of string beans has risen by 127 percent, tomatoes by 100 percent, garlic by 33 percent, zucchinis by 48 percent, cucumbers by 85 percent, eggplants by 90 percent, and carrots by 66 percent. Some of the sellers claimed that they have increased prices to cover workers' salaries and rent for their shops. The prices of watermelons, dry onions, coriander, lettuce and cabbage were also raised by between 28 and 66 percent. Local and imported fruit prices have also skyrocketed, with the price of lemons up by 120 percent and grapes by 100 percent. The price of peaches has increased by 46 percent and bananas by 63 percent. Apples recorded a rise of 20 percent, the lowest increase on the list. __
