DAMMAM: A 40 to 50 percent drop has occurred in the prices of Al-Ahsa agricultural products compared to last year.
The products which saw declines include green lemon and onions.
The drop is due to the high temperatures that weakened purchasing power at Dammam’s central market, said some traders.
Ahmad Mohammed, a farmer in Al-Ahsa who comes to Dammam regularly to sell his produces, said, “The price of cantaloupe melon has now declined to SR6 due to its abundant supply. Earlier, it was sold at SR25.”
He said the purchasing power had been reduced in the markets due to the summer vacation. He said that the high costs of agriculture at the present time were a result of the high price of seeds and high wages for labor.
The fertilizer prices had fallen from last year by nearly 20 percent, and the price of a bag of urea is now SR60 instead of the previous price of SR80.
Sami Al-Farhan, a seller of agricultural products in Dammam, said the entry of expatriates into the market with their low-prices has harmed Saudi farmers and traders in light of the high costs of shipping, labor, seeds and fertilizers.
He called on the authorities to exclude foreigners who engage in fraud and price speculation.
Ayesh Al-Sahod, a farmer, said: “Agricultural products grown in the region are much better than the imported ones. Garlic produced in Al-Ahsa is much better than the Chinese one, because it has no odor and is grown without any additional components.”
The products which saw declines include green lemon and onions.
The drop is due to the high temperatures that weakened purchasing power at Dammam’s central market, said some traders.
Ahmad Mohammed, a farmer in Al-Ahsa who comes to Dammam regularly to sell his produces, said, “The price of cantaloupe melon has now declined to SR6 due to its abundant supply. Earlier, it was sold at SR25.”
He said the purchasing power had been reduced in the markets due to the summer vacation. He said that the high costs of agriculture at the present time were a result of the high price of seeds and high wages for labor.
The fertilizer prices had fallen from last year by nearly 20 percent, and the price of a bag of urea is now SR60 instead of the previous price of SR80.
Sami Al-Farhan, a seller of agricultural products in Dammam, said the entry of expatriates into the market with their low-prices has harmed Saudi farmers and traders in light of the high costs of shipping, labor, seeds and fertilizers.
He called on the authorities to exclude foreigners who engage in fraud and price speculation.
Ayesh Al-Sahod, a farmer, said: “Agricultural products grown in the region are much better than the imported ones. Garlic produced in Al-Ahsa is much better than the Chinese one, because it has no odor and is grown without any additional components.”
