With the arrival of the Holy Month, wholesale retailers are expecting increased sales as people flock to the supermarkets to buy extra food for daily Iftars. Simultaneously, the price of fish at markets has escalated due to a reduction in fishing activity and high demand by locals.
Fish markets are now facing ever-increasing demand, but have insufficient supplies to satisfy the needs of their customers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has chalked out plans in collaboration with the suppliers, to ensure a ceaseless supply of fish, but have been powerless to prevent prices from catapulting.
Not only is it fish, but also the prices of other commodities are often increased a month before Ramadan by sellers keen to cash in on bulk purchases made during the Holy Month.
Although many people have pointed out the anomalies in the prices of vegetables and fruits, owners of various supermarkets oppose them. “Every Ramadan it is the same story and people think we are hiking the price whereas there is no increase,” said one owner of a chain of hypermarkets.
Retailers say they expect sales to be better this year compared to previous years and Sanjay Gopinath, operations manager at Nesto, pointed out that there is a strong demand for certain brands that are associated with the holy season, which actually leads to several promotions and discounts.
The Public Authority for Consumer Protection has stated that there shall be no rise in prices of commodities, against the prescribed rules during the Holy Month of Ramadan and attempts are being made to return hiked prices back to normal, so as to let buyers purchase their desired items in bulk.