Tomato prices show instability in Bahrain market

Tomato prices have reached BD 1 per kilo as prices continue to fluctuate. Vendors at Manama central market are perplexed by the fact that prices of tomatoes have stood high for the past one month.

They said that prices fluctuated from time to time but did not remain high for more than one or two weeks. Tomatoes, which are sold for 500 fils per kilo under normal circumstances, have been sold for BD 1 or more in the past month. However,  traders at the market said that they were expecting the prices to go down after a week.

Speaking to DT News, Khalid, a trader at the market, said that it was the first time in 20 years that he had witnessed the prices to remain high for over one month. “The longest period of high price I have seen was one-and-a-half week.

The traders admitted that the high prices had not affected their business. Customers have not boycotted tomatoes like they have done against meat.

Another trader Rajeev said that the price hike had improved their business. Because of the price hike, cold stores have stopped selling tomatoes so the customers have to come to us directly.

The prices are likely to fall down as winter approaches and when tomatoes from Saudi Arabia will be available during this season.