Consumers, both Saudis and expatriates, have urged the authorities to strictly monitor the price index, especially the fruits and vegetables sold at exorbitantly high rates in the market. Fruit and vegetable shops, which supposedly underwent mandatory Saudization a year ago, can still be found with foreign nationals selling produce, both imported and local, at exorbitantly high rates. A survey in Riyadh revealed that almost all the fruit and vegetable stores are now manned by expatriate workers. This is in direct contravention to the Saudization drive launched in this sector a year ago. Sami Al-Ajlan, a Saudi consumer, said he failed to understand the reason for the continued high prices of fruits and vegetables which usually increase during the Haj season and subside after the pilgrimage. Surprisingly, he said, the prices of fruits and vegetables also vary substantially from one leading grocery store to another. Al-Ajlan, while shopping at a leading supermarket here, complained that despite media reports of lowering prices, traders continue to charge more for almost all foodstuffs, particularly fruits and vegetables. “I have seen no difference in the pricing of some of the essential commodities, despite reports that suggest a low inflation rate in the Kingdom,” he said. Abu Hamza, another Saudi shopper, said he was shocked to note the difference in the price of one kilogram of carrots, which varied from SR1.50 per kilogram at one grocery to SR4.50 at another. He said he was pained to have bought potatoes for SR4.50 at one grocery, which at another place was sold for a mere SR2.95 per kg – a difference of SR1.55 for the same produce. Similarly, he said, the price of a carton of cucumbers, a favorite for salad lovers, varied substantially. “I can understand the varying profit margin that each grocery store takes but to see it totally lopsided is something mind-boggling,” he said, adding that the Riyadh Municipality has been issuing a price index which attempts to compare the huge difference in pricing. He said it seemed that small vendors, who now rule the roost in the market, have been engaged in charging as they like for both imported and locally produced items. “Another disadvantage of buying from the small vegetable shops is the lack of proper weighing machines. Some of the vendors do not have digital weighing machines which puts consumers at a disadvantage as they end up paying more than the actual weight of the purchase,” he said. Mohammad Al-Sabt, a Syrian national, said the price of a 20-kg bag of rice came down by a mere SR5, as against media reports of the steep lowering of prices in the Kingdom. “I think the Saudi authorities, particularly the consumer affairs department in the Ministry of Commerce should strictly monitor market pricing, which is in the general interest and benefit of consumers,” he said.
