Fruit and vegetables prices have risen by a whopping 50 percent in Makkah and Madina. Retailers and wholesalers at the “Halaqa” (Jeddah Vegetable Market) said the lack of produce and skyrocketing prices at the local auction are to blame for the increases. Abdullah Al-Salmi, who has a stall at the Halaqa, said owners of refrigerators, who import and supply the market with fruit and vegetables, have stock from last season which they are selling for 30 to 50 percent more than normal. Other merchants at the market said the price increases can be attributed to the season ending for certain crops. Lack of supply increases demand and prices rise. Even the price of produce from greenhouses goes up before Haj, they said. Dr. Muhammad Seed Derdi, an economic consultant and researcher, said the spike in prices is normal at this time of the year because the demand increases from catering companies, hotels and Tawafa establishments. This is a seasonal surge in prices and will not continue for a long period after Haj, said Derdi. Okaz/Saudi Gazette __
