MADINA: Merchants in Madina are raising vegetable prices by up to 127 percent, arguing they have no choice because they have to cover salaries and rent. Okaz/Saudi Gazette have documents showing the huge differences in wholesale and retail prices at Madina's vegetable market. In some cases, prices have been raised by between 20 percent and 127 percent. For example, the retail price of string beans has risen by 127 percent, tomatoes by 100 percent, garlic by 33 percent, zucchini by 48 percent, cucumbers by 85 percent, eggplant by 90 percent, gumbo by 42 percent, and carrots by 66 percent. Some of the sellers claimed that they have increased prices to cover worker salaries and rent for their shops. The prices of calabash, watermelon, dry onions, coriander, lettuce and cabbage were also raised by between 28 percent and 66 percent. Even the price of catnip, which is famous in the city, has also increased by 20 percent. Local and imported fruit prices have also skyrocketed, with the price of lemon up by 120 percent and grapes by 100 percent. Peach prices have increased by 46 percent and bananas by 63 percent. Apples recorded a rise of 20 percent, the lowest increase on the list. Although some traders have justified the increases, others said that the fruit and vegetables are bought for “very low prices” from farmers and then sold for exorbitant prices to consumers.
