JEDDAH: Ihram sales have registered a record high price of SR150 for each individual, raising the prices by 50 percent.
The increase is due to the swelling number of pilgrims who bought around 30 million ihram this year, according to some market analysts.
Ihram clothing includes men’s and women’s garments worn by pilgrims during Umrah and Haj. But men’s garments consist of two white un-hemmed sheets (usually towelling material) and are universal in appearance.
It is mainly locally made but the entry of ihram clothing of high quality fabric from China and Brazil are giving it a hard time to the local manufacturers.
Omar Al-Ghamidi, a consumer, said prices have increased because Ihram clothes have been developed to conform to local fashion, saying some stores increased prices because of the quality material.
Salah Al-Malek said many stores changed their activity to Umrah requirements to keep up with the Umrah season during Ramadan, which raises prices after adding accessories and selling Ihram clothes for SR170.
Hussein Rifaat called on the Ministry of Commerce and Investment to conduct inspection tours on markets and bring prices back to their levels before Ramadan, which was SR80 per piece.
Ali Al-Gheibi, an owner, said buying Ihram clothes increases during Ramadan on certain Chinese brands, which stand between SR80 and SR150. He said some kinds are of lesser quality, and many people buy belts and small bags, which don’t exceed SR35.
Mohammad Al-Fifi, another owner said profits increase during Ramadan by SR25,000, pointing out that stores focus their sales on selling Umrah requirements.
The chairman of the Textile Committee at the Jeddah Chamber, Mohammad Al-Shahri, said he gets Ihram clothes made in China from high quality materials. He pointed out that competition increases between local and imported materials, which cause price hikes.
He added that prices range between SR120-SR150, with 30 million pieces sold.
Ihram prices up by 50%
Ihram prices up by 50%
