KUWAIT CITY, Feb 24: The market's selling dates, Ramadan goods and foodstuff are witnessing stagnation despite the approaching holy month of Ramadan, unlike the previous years. The newspaper’s staff visited the big markets selling dates and items that every family needs in the holy month, specifically in Shuwaikh, where many consumers and traders confirmed that the prices of Ramadan goods have increased by around 15-25 percent. The traders attribute the increase to the hike of customs duties abroad, in addition to transportation and handling fees; while most countries exporting Ramadan products have increased levies on importers. Bou Sulaiman said the prices of Ramadan goods have exceeded expectations, indicating the prices of dates and coffee increased exaggeratedly compared to the Ramadan season last year

He demanded that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry should intensify its campaigns in the markets to stop this unreasonable price hike. Umm Hamoud compared the prices of Ramadan goods this year to “fire” due to traders who exploit the Ramadan season, wondering if it is reasonable that the price of a kilogram of dates that was sold for KD2.250 before has now reached KD3.500. She indicated that dates at lower prices are unsuitable for many families, while some of them are only valid for a year or some months. She thought that prices in Shuwaikh food markets are lower than those in cooperatives and parallel markets, but she was surprised as the prices are high compared to last year. Jamal Al-Mutairi called on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to intensify control over food markets to stop the manipulation of traders, especially since all consumers -- citizens and expatriates -- have noticed a huge increase in the prices of Ramadan goods at very high rates compared to last year despite the availability of all products in the markets.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff