(Zaman Al Wasl)- Prices of food products rocked varying between areas after local framers have put their produce on the market and some merchandise has entered from northern Iraq province, following the opening of al-Aliya crossing point on the Tigris river, whereas the prices of meals and juices tied to Souhour and Iftar meals during the holy month have increased.
Prices registered a noticeable decrease in al-Hasakeh city’s markets and in Ras al-Ayn, especially fruits and vegetables, as the prices ranged between 100-150 Syrian Pounds for 1 kilograms of tomatoes, 100-125 SP for cucumbers, 175 SP for potatoes, 75 SP for eggplant, 500 SP for bananas, 400 SP for cherries, 300 SP for plums, 500 SP for sugar, 2000 SP for tea according to local sources.
The same sources said that the decrease in the price of vegetables is not related to the border crossing point, as the price of vegetables decreased because farmers started to market the first of their produce in the province’s cities.
Malaz al-Yousef, an activist, confirmed to Zaman al-Wasl that he bought 1 kilogram of tomatoes for 125 SP while buying them as single pieces, whereas as wholesale they are sold for 100 SP, and a kilogram of marrow is sold for 50 SP, and potatoes for 200 SP.
Al-Yousef said that opening al-Aliya border crossing with northern Iraq, and northern Iraq stipulating that no taxes be placed on products and merchandise contributed in the reduction of the price of food products especially sugar, but in return it led to movement in the vegetable market, perhaps even increasing the prices despite the local produce being sold, and this is due to its exportation to Iraq.
The activist indicated the possibility that al-Aliya border crossing with northern Iraq will be closed again, and it is the only border crossing point open to merchandise, and in the event the autonomous Democratic Union Party do not commit to the province’s conditions of not imposing tax, and sharing the income generated from the border crossing point with the Kurdish National Council.
The activist continued that prices of the cumin crop improved with the opening of the border crossing where by the price of a kilogram increased from 500 SP to 800 SP, prompting farmers to sell their crops and thus pay laborers’ wages.
Abu Ibrahim, one of the residents of al-Qamishli city, recounted that on June 23 2016, he bought 1 kilogram of okra for 1500 SP, and when he returned home his wife complained to him, “why aren’t the pieces small?”
He added to Zaman al-Wasl, “I did not know how to describe the incident to her, but I responded angrily, ‘the salesman did not let me get close to it, or even extend my hand, he chose them and put them on the scales, and I only paid.’”
Ramadan foods are missing or expensive
Abu Ibrahim confirmed that the prices are much better today, as the price of okra ranges between 400 to 600 SP, tomato between 85-100 SP, whereas the price of Ramadan drinks and special foods remain high, as al-Marouk (a special bread) is sold for the imaginary price of 1000 SP if with filling and 300 SP for the regular, and a bag of araksous (liquorice drink) and tamarind are sold for 200 SP.
Prices registered a noticeable decrease in al-Hasakeh city’s markets and in Ras al-Ayn, especially fruits and vegetables, as the prices ranged between 100-150 Syrian Pounds for 1 kilograms of tomatoes, 100-125 SP for cucumbers, 175 SP for potatoes, 75 SP for eggplant, 500 SP for bananas, 400 SP for cherries, 300 SP for plums, 500 SP for sugar, 2000 SP for tea according to local sources.
The same sources said that the decrease in the price of vegetables is not related to the border crossing point, as the price of vegetables decreased because farmers started to market the first of their produce in the province’s cities.
Malaz al-Yousef, an activist, confirmed to Zaman al-Wasl that he bought 1 kilogram of tomatoes for 125 SP while buying them as single pieces, whereas as wholesale they are sold for 100 SP, and a kilogram of marrow is sold for 50 SP, and potatoes for 200 SP.
Al-Yousef said that opening al-Aliya border crossing with northern Iraq, and northern Iraq stipulating that no taxes be placed on products and merchandise contributed in the reduction of the price of food products especially sugar, but in return it led to movement in the vegetable market, perhaps even increasing the prices despite the local produce being sold, and this is due to its exportation to Iraq.
The activist indicated the possibility that al-Aliya border crossing with northern Iraq will be closed again, and it is the only border crossing point open to merchandise, and in the event the autonomous Democratic Union Party do not commit to the province’s conditions of not imposing tax, and sharing the income generated from the border crossing point with the Kurdish National Council.
The activist continued that prices of the cumin crop improved with the opening of the border crossing where by the price of a kilogram increased from 500 SP to 800 SP, prompting farmers to sell their crops and thus pay laborers’ wages.
Abu Ibrahim, one of the residents of al-Qamishli city, recounted that on June 23 2016, he bought 1 kilogram of okra for 1500 SP, and when he returned home his wife complained to him, “why aren’t the pieces small?”
He added to Zaman al-Wasl, “I did not know how to describe the incident to her, but I responded angrily, ‘the salesman did not let me get close to it, or even extend my hand, he chose them and put them on the scales, and I only paid.’”
Ramadan foods are missing or expensive
Abu Ibrahim confirmed that the prices are much better today, as the price of okra ranges between 400 to 600 SP, tomato between 85-100 SP, whereas the price of Ramadan drinks and special foods remain high, as al-Marouk (a special bread) is sold for the imaginary price of 1000 SP if with filling and 300 SP for the regular, and a bag of araksous (liquorice drink) and tamarind are sold for 200 SP.
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