JEDDAH, 17 May 2007 — The prices of rice, a staple diet for many in the Kingdom, have gone up sharply with some varieties registering an increase of up to 8 percent, local media reported.
Many citizens and residents are complaining about the price rise and have called on the Ministry of Commerce to closely monitor the market. Recently, prices of sugar, powdered milk and tuna have also experienced a similar jump.
A 10-kilogram bag of a certain variety of rice now costs SR53, which was only SR38 a few weeks ago.
Low-income people are the most affected by the price rise and are finding it difficult to meet day-to-day expenses. Ahmad Mahdy, a citizen, said, “My salary doesn’t exceed SR1,500 and I live with my wife and four kids in a modest house. My household spending is only SR1,000 each month. This is in addition to school expenses and other needs that suddenly come up.”
He added, “It is incredible to see prices continuing to rise in spite of having tens, if not hundreds, of rice importers.”
Muhammad Al-Sharahely, a security guard, said, “I thank God that I’m not married. How could I cover my household expenses with these crazy prices? I don’t even have the intention to marry now. God bless and help low-income people who have large families. It is very painful when fathers fail to fulfill their kids’ demands.”
The sharp rise in prices has resulted even in prayer leaders chastising merchants from the pulpit and the Shoura Council summoning the commerce minister to discuss the issue.
Sheikh Salah Al-Bedair, imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, said during a Friday sermon that the Shariah does not provide unrestricted freedom to traders to charge exorbitant prices causing harm to the public. The imam’s criticism came after prices of some commodities reached all-time peak.
Commerce Minister Hashim Yamani said the price hike was part of a global trend and not because of any fault on the part of his ministry.
