In relief to consumers, prices of vegetables fall up to 60pc

Bringing cheers to middle and lower-income consumers, the retail prices of vegetables and fruits in the Central Market have declined by 60 per cent, a significant fall, after Ramadan. The prices of vegetables and fruits in Bahrain returned to normal, just days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which the prices had gone extremely high due to high demand. Daily Tribune visited the Central Market on May 10 (before Ramadan), and on MaY 18 the second day of Ramadan), and on June 20 (after the end of Ramadan days), to see the price trend in the market.

The price of a10-kilo box of cucumbers has dropped from 3.500 dinars to 900 fils, while the price of cauliflowers dropped from BD3.5 to BD1.5, and the price of cabbage dropped from BD4 to BD1.5.

“We barely sell anything compared to Ramadan sales. Eid expenditures and people’s other commitment is killing our business and these are our prices because the demand is low,” said trader Hussein Mohammed. “We do not take advantage of people’s financial conditions. This is an open market. When demand increases, prices increase and when demand drops, prices fall,” he said. Daily Tribune had reported that vendors destroyed large quantities of fruits and vegetables in order to maintain high prices in Ramadan. Municipal workers confirmed that on a daily basis at least three large municipal trucks carried discarded tons of fruits and vegetables.