Citizens express disappointment over significant rise in fish prices

Published: 2 November 2024

NT Bureau
Doha

Fish prices in the local market have increased significantly, causing a wave of resentment and anger among Qataris and residents.

Social media witnessed a state of resentment on what some called the crazy increase in fish prices with citizens discussing the reasons for the increase, especially in the last days of October, Al Sharq reported.
Some said the prices of some types of fish reached record levels on Thursday, as the price of a kilo of Safi fish reached 90 riyals, while the price of Kingfish reached 89 riyals.

Talking to Al Sharq, citizens said prices have witnessed a noticeable increase, especially in some types like Jesh, Hamour and Zubaidi, which are among the favourites preferred by the people of Qatar.

They added that prices have gone out of control for unknown reasons, whether in the central market or shopping malls, and they said monitoring by the authorities is either absent or it has been unable to control the prices.

“Let them sell fish in pharmacies as ‘medicines’ because these prices are unacceptable, especially since the State of Qatar is a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the price of fish here is supposed to be very cheap, not the opposite,” a citizen said on social media, according to Al Sharq.

Citizens also called for the Consumer Protection Department to carry out inspections to monitor the market daily, control prices, prevent manipulation, and impose penalties on traders who do not com-ply with rules. They added that prices have increased during the last period of October, demanding the need to activate initiatives to reduce prices, especially since it is considered one of the main foods that most Qatari families depend on.

Another citizen said that he visits the fish market once a week and every time he finds a big difference in prices, but during the second half of October the fish market witnessed a noticeable increase in prices, especially for the types of fish that the Qatari people prefer. He called on the authorities to impose more control over prices in the market and not leave the door open to manipulation by traders.