The wholesale as well as retail markets of fresh vegetables and fruits have been hit hard due to the soaring winter weather in the Eastern Province, traders said Saturday. “There is low demand for fresh vegetables and fruits with the arrival of winter in the region,” said a wholesaler. “My business is down by more than 60 percent. Very few customers are showing up now,” said Salim, a Yemeni fruit wholesaler at the Dammam wholesale market in the Toyota area. The prices, as winter advances, have come down to about SR3-4 per kg for each item. Prices of items, like tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, capsicums and cauliflowers have all fallen. The business of retail outlets across the province is dull as well. Most traders and hypermarkets admit losing business due to the winter season.
