Discontinuation of fish export from Qatar is likely to cause reduction in the prices of fish in coming days. The fish market at Umm Salal Central Market is expecting increase in the supply of fish due to the ongoing blockade that might ease prices of fishes, say traders.
“The blockade has suspended fish export from Qatar to Saudi Arabia,” Mohammad Ashiq, a vendor at the Central Market, told The Peninsula. “With increasing supply of fish, the prices will fall and it will have a very positive impact on our business. We have noticed in the past that number of buyers increases with fall in the prices,” he added
“Before the blockade, the authority allowed the traders to export fish to Saudi Arabia when the supply exceeded requirements of local markets. And the species taken in large quantity to Saudi markets were Kingfish, Red Hamour and Shahri,” said Ashiq.
“The prices of Kingfish (locally known as chanad/kanad) and Shahri have declined at QR25 and QR8 per kg respectively that is rarely seen in summer season when the catch goes down significantly due to unfavourable weather caused by strong wind,” he added.
“I can say that blockade that halted the export of Qatari fish to Saudi markets could be one of the reasons for declining prices of fish in Umm Salal Central Market. Good weather also played key role in falling prices of fish,” said Ashiq.
“We expect further fall in fish prices during coming days as wind has stopped blowing and there is no chance for export to Saudi Arabia. The prices of Kingfish that was ranging between QR30 to QR35 per kg in summer last year is available now at QR25 per kg. The prices will go down further about QR2 to QR3 during coming days as the large stock is expected at auction ground due to good weather that increases the fish haul,” said Ashiq.
“Prices of other fish have also come down due to favourable weather this week,” said Mohamad Naseem, a vendor at Central Market. Safi fish and Zubaidi (small size) is available at QR20 per kg and Zubaidi (big size) is being sold at QR10. We are also offering prawn exported from India at QR40 per kg,” said Naseem.
“I bought a 6kg Kingfish at the rate of QR25 per kg whose price is not less than QR35 at other outlets in local markets and the vendor gave me two safi fish complementary,” said Safdar, an Indian national who came to the Central Market with family.
“I noticed fish at Umm Salal Central Market is cheaper 30 to 40 percent compared to the outlets operating at shopping complexes throughout the country,” he added.
“Before the blockade, the authority allowed the traders to export fish to Saudi Arabia when the supply exceeded requirements of local markets. And the species taken in large quantity to Saudi markets were Kingfish, Red Hamour and Shahri,” said Ashiq.
“The prices of Kingfish (locally known as chanad/kanad) and Shahri have declined at QR25 and QR8 per kg respectively that is rarely seen in summer season when the catch goes down significantly due to unfavourable weather caused by strong wind,” he added.
“I can say that blockade that halted the export of Qatari fish to Saudi markets could be one of the reasons for declining prices of fish in Umm Salal Central Market. Good weather also played key role in falling prices of fish,” said Ashiq.
“We expect further fall in fish prices during coming days as wind has stopped blowing and there is no chance for export to Saudi Arabia. The prices of Kingfish that was ranging between QR30 to QR35 per kg in summer last year is available now at QR25 per kg. The prices will go down further about QR2 to QR3 during coming days as the large stock is expected at auction ground due to good weather that increases the fish haul,” said Ashiq.
“Prices of other fish have also come down due to favourable weather this week,” said Mohamad Naseem, a vendor at Central Market. Safi fish and Zubaidi (small size) is available at QR20 per kg and Zubaidi (big size) is being sold at QR10. We are also offering prawn exported from India at QR40 per kg,” said Naseem.
“I bought a 6kg Kingfish at the rate of QR25 per kg whose price is not less than QR35 at other outlets in local markets and the vendor gave me two safi fish complementary,” said Safdar, an Indian national who came to the Central Market with family.
“I noticed fish at Umm Salal Central Market is cheaper 30 to 40 percent compared to the outlets operating at shopping complexes throughout the country,” he added.