DOHA: Prices of fruits shot up by six percent in the central market in October apparently due to a steep fall in supply.
The supply fell by 20 percent in October compared to the previous month, according to the monthly statistics issued by the Consumer Protection Department.
Only 3,263 tonnes of fruits reached the central market in October, 33 percent less compared to the same period last year and 20 percent less compared to this September.
The average supply of fruits was 4,907 tonnes per month this year, and included banana, apple, orange, grape, lemon and pomegranate.
Prices of vegetables in the central market declined by one percent in October compared to September, despite a slight drop in supply.
Pakistan emerged the number one exporter of vegetables to Qatar in October with main products potato and onions, pushing back India, an all-time topper to the eighth position.
India recently cut export of onion due to major shortage.
Jordan ranked second followed by China. Iran ranked fourth followed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and India, respectively.
A total of 13,390 tonnes of vegetables were supplied to the central market in October against 14,071 tonnes in September.
Prices of Jordanian capsicum, tomato, cabbage, Saudi cauliflower and carrot, Chinese garlic were up while Qatari cucumber, Saudi carrot, kusa and eggplant and Jordanian kusa, potato and cauliflower cost less last month.
Prices of fish soared three percent in October compared to the same period last year.
However, prices fell by two percent in October compared to September. Prices of meat have been reported stable.
The peninsula
