Fresher and cheaper fruits and vegetables on sale at seasonal market

Three seasonal market opened yesterday in Al Wakra, Umm Salal and Al Khor that will sell fresher fruits, vegetables and other local produces at cheaper rates.

Rabbits, pigeons, turkey, geese and ducks will soon be on offer for sale at the vegetable yard that opened in Al Wakra.

The seasonal market is opposite the General Hospital Roundabout.

These birds and animals are available for retail in Al Mazrouah yard, also opened in Umm Salal yesterday, opposite the Veterinary Centre in Umm Salal Ali.

In addition to fresh local eggs, NAFFCO is making preparations to bring fresh fruits to Al Wakra market for retail. These fruits will be sold much cheaper than those overseas.

Decorative plants are also being sold at the yard. Seasonal markets were introduced in Qatar three years ago with the opening of Al Mazrouah.

Later, another was opened in Al Khor to serve the town and the neighbouring Al Dhakheera. The yard is near Al Khor Industrial Roundabout. The three markets are open until the onset of the summer months in May.

Al Wakra yard was opened in the morning by the Minister of Environment H E Ahmed Amer Mohamed Al Humaidi.

The Agricultural Affairs Department, which organises and manages these markets every winter, is under the ministry. Al Mazrouah yard in Umm Salal and the one in Al Khor were also opened yesterday.

They aim to remove middlemen from the supply chain and help producers and consumers. Producers get better prices for their produce and consumers get them at cheaper rates.

All three markets are open from 7am until 5pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Most produce, especially vegetables and some fruits, are sourced locally.

Livestock slaughtering service has been introduced at Al Mazrouah this year (this is the third year of its operation).

In addition to vegetables, fruits, plants, fish, sheep, goats, camels and chicken, flowers are sold there.

The prices of all produce, including fruits and vegetables, are much lower than those at the Central Market and this makes it a hot favourite, particularly of restaurants and neighbourhood stores which buy in bulk for retail.

From this year, fresh fish is available in retail at Al Khor yard. The ministry said in a statement that it had held workshops for farms participating in the yards to raise their efficiency. [The Peninsula]