Severe rain has caused havoc in parts of the Gulf this week, flooding streets in northern Saudi Arabia and Qatar, forcing shops and schools to close and causing major congestion.
Qatari capital Doha is reported to have received a year’s worth of rainfall yesterday, while water poured through the streets of Buraydah, a city north of Saudi capital Riyadh.
According to Jamal Kari, head of UAE-based trader Fruit Line Trading’s newly established Riyadh office, the weather has had a big effect on business, shrinking the fresh produce trade.
“Since the streets have been flooded, people don’t go out due to safety issues,” Kari told Eurofruit. “The schools are closed, and deliveries of produce are also impacted, so this has affected consumption on the market, especially of fruit and vegetables.”
However, Kari said that such difficulties were easier to overcome now that Fruit Line Trading had its own office in the Kingdom.
“Being on the ground brings its advantages,” he revealed. “The fruit business is hard and requires tough decisions and actions that must be made in a timely manner. Our presence here is therefore an advantage both for Fruit Line and its customers. If anything occurs, or if the customer has concerns, we can instantly resolve the issue.”
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