DAMMAM, 31 March 2003 — Commodity prices are going up in the Eastern Province, with retailers putting the blame on the on-going war in Iraq. Although the increase is marginal, in a market considered the most stable in the world even a slight fluctuation raises many an eyebrow.
The biggest increase was reported in the price of fresh fish. In the fish markets of Dammam, Qatif, Sihat and Safwa, retail prices have gone up by SR3 per kilo. Wholesale dealers say that the price rise is due to a steep decline in the amount of fish being netted.
“Due to the present crisis, fishermen prefer to return home early and don’t like to move into deeper waters. As a result, the market received much less fish this week than in previous weeks,” said Ali Al-Khamees, a wholesale dealer in the Qatif market.
Vegetable prices have increased in the Alkhobar and Dammam markets.
“Most imported vegetables have become more expensive, as freight charges have gone up due to the war,” said the manager of Arafat vegetable shop in Alkhobar.
The wholesale markets in Dammam and Alkhobar reported that the prices of Basmati and Sela rice, imported mainly from India and Pakistan, have gone up as an increase in the cost in freight charges. In the retail market, Basmati rice which was previously sold at SR3.50 per kilo, is now sold at SR4.25.
