A price spike affecting fruit and vegetables in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is being attributed to several large shipments of fresh produce being turned away by the gulf federation, due to unacceptable chemical levels.
According to a report on the Emirates 24/7 website an official from the ministry for the economy said barring the container ships from entering the federation was a precautionary measure and had subsequently led to a shortage of some items.
“The current wave of unbelievable high prices of vegetables and fruit is not only affecting domestic markets, but has hit a number of neighbouring countries,” the source added.
The price of Indian tomatoes has almost doubled to around US$1.60 per/kg, up from around US$0.80 per/kg.
The website reported traders at the fruit and vegetable market in Awir said the hike had resulted from a lack of supply.
“Tomatoes are usually imported from Jordan and Syria. But because the production levels there have dropped, the prices have more than doubled,” Abdul Jaleel of Pan Viet Foodstuffs told the website.
Onion, which previously sold for around US$0.60 per/kg is now selling for around US$1.30 per/kg.
Similarly ginger, which used to cost around US$10 per/10-kg box is now being sold at US$26 per/10-kg box.
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