All the municipalities across the country have made the necessary preparations to receive the holy month of Ramadan, intensifying their inspection and control efforts to ensure the health and safety of food products at the local market.
Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that the health control sections at the different municipalities have already started to carry out intensive inspection campaigns on the various food outlets and retailers across the country. Besides, such campaigns will be further intensified during Ramadan.
In the meantime, most retailers and food outlets have become ready to meet the expected increase in demand on their services over the coming period. In particular, Souq Waqif shops have started to see a considerable increase in their daily sales amounting to up to 50% more than the usual rates, especially with high demand for spices, food flavours, nuts, sweets, incense and cooking utensils. Shop owners and managers stressed that they have stocked enough quantities to meet such an anticipated seasonal demand, having worked three months ahead of Ramadan.
Some retailers pointed out that they are set to increase their working hours throughout Ramadan to receive more customers, as Souq Waqif is considered among the most preferred destination during Ramadan by Qataris and expatriates when it comes to buying spices and special cooking utensils. Further, demand for various types of perfumes and incense have already started to increase and are expected to go on well throughout Ramadan. Sellers stress that sales of such products almost increase by 80% compared to other months of the year.
As regards the fresh vegetables and fruits at the Central Market, the abundance of local produce has considerably helped in bringing the prices down of most varieties. However, some retailers and customers alike think that the prices could go up due to the higher demand.
