A number of vegetable vendors in the Eastern Province said that vegetable prices had jumped by 150 percent during the last two weeks.

“A box of cucumbers now costs SR140 and a box of tomatoes is priced at SR150,” said Fahd Al-Qahtani, a vendor.

However, he expected the prices to fall in next few weeks, owing to a drop in temperatures leading to an abundance of vegetables.

He said that prices had stabilized at the beginning of this month but the high temperatures had an adverse effect on the perishable item leading vendors to raise vegetable prices owing to a scarcity in the market and low production levels.

“This is a recurring problem during this time each year,” Al-Qahtani said.

Mohammad Al-Abarieq, another vegetable vendor, blamed the middle-men working in the wholesale market for the price increase from one period to the next.

“This happens because of rumors of scarcity leading to a price increase,” he said, adding that it is the consumers who have to foot the bill.

Vegetable distributors in the province also complained about the rising prices, saying they were buying limited amounts from the wholesale market to re-sell, fearing that customers may not be able to buy the items.

Abdelrahman Al-Dossari, another vendor, said the fluctuating prices of vegetables are a cause of concern for everyone.

“We have been known to offer a kilo of a certain produce for SR3 and the same produce has also been priced at SR30. But if there are no customers, the produce goes bad and is wasted,” he said.

He said that their profit margins did not exceed SR3, but customers still accused them of raising prices despite the fact that the market prices are governed by strict controls.