Prices of fruits and vegetables in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to hike, but experts say this is for good reason.
Sellers told The National of possible price increase after an import ban on fruits and vegetables was imposed in five Middle Eastern countries including Egypt, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen to stop the entry of such goods with high levels of pesticides.
But Basem Azzam, quality director at Taylor Shannon International, a food safety consultancy, explained that the import ban is a safety net for consumers.
“It’s a big risk to consume vegetables, especially leafy greens, with a high dose of pesticides because we are consuming chemicals,” he was quoted as saying.
Shokrollah Ali, managing director of Shokri Hassan Trading at Dubai’s Fruit and Vegetable Market, said Lebanon and Jordan are crucial sources of their sold items especially lettuce and marrow.
He said buyers would need to bear the brunt of costs due to longer travel of the imported goods.
“The further the country, the higher the price. It generally affects the customers more and now we will have to revert to Europe or Africa,” he was quoted as saying.
“We usually get carrots from Oman for Dh1.50 a kilogram, but now we will have to get them from China or even Australia where it is Dh3.50 a kilo,” he explained.
Ali explained that demand for fruits and vegetables usually go up during Ramadan season, foreseeing that prices will be 50% to 70% by that time.
Shavanas K M, sales manager at Barakat Vegetables and Fruits, also explained that “the price will be very high because it includes freight charge, service and air conditioning.”
