After recent hikes in food prices in Qatar, amid ongoing sanctions, consumers may get some relief as the prices for goods are expected to come down. This is due to more traders shipping by sea rather than by air, lowering transportation costs.
Local traders have geared up their efforts to ensure availability of food items in enough quantity at reasonable prices in local markets to minimise or to totally overcome the impact of blockade.
The move includes intensifying maritime operations to cut the reliance on air cargo and opening new markets. Talking to The Peninsula, the traders said that with increasing ship consignment, the prices of foods and non-food items will come down significantly.
“Prices of goods imported via ships are 10 to 25 percent cheaper compared to those being transported by air," Shanavas, Regional Manager of Lulu Hypermarkets told The Peninsula. “Lulu Hypermarkets has started importing full containers carrying foods and non-food items including perishable goods like fruits and vegetables via ships from India”, said Shanavas.
