Markets and shops across the country are witnessing an abundance of consumer and non-consumable food commodities of all kinds, and a doubling of supply quotas coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, at a time when sales outlets are witnessing fierce competition to attract shoppers through a package of offers and discounts on goods.

Food companies, businessmen, and economists affirm the availability of sufficient stocks of commodities and food products to cover local consumption, noting that the prices of Ramadan commodities are stable thanks to the initiatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the promotions and discounts, which led to market stability and increased the pace of competition. Commercial complexes have intensified their preparations to receive the holy month, where shops, especially food departments, have increased their activity to the maximum degree by offering various goods and products to meet the needs of customers at competitive prices.

In their statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), they said that the markets and shops are witnessing remarkable movement these days by shoppers to buy Ramadan goods. Compared to normal months, the rate of consumption during the month of Ramadan increases by about 30 percent, raising the consumer’s spending bill, which adds a financial burden during Ramadan. To avoid this, one needs to set a budget for the holy month, avoid being tempted by offers, choose the appropriate time for shopping, and focus on essential goods and foodstuffs.

With the start of the blessed month, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced a number of successive initiatives for Ramadan during the past week. The ministry launched the discounted consumer goods list, which includes more than 900 commodities, in coordination with about 20 malls, shops, and commercial outlets. It also announced an initiative to double the share of rice, sugar, oil, and evaporated milk for citizens benefiting from food supplies, for one time.

In the same context, the Ministry announced the joint national initiative to encourage local production and subsidize the prices of sheep meat for the holy month of Ramadan, in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and the Widam Food Company, where it was agreed to provide about 30 thousand local sheep, to sell them at discounted prices for citizens (two sheep per citizen).

The Ministry stated that these initiatives come within the framework of its keenness to provide the needs of citizens and residents of consumer goods at reduced prices during the holy month, as spending increases on the purchase of food and consumer goods, and other commodities of relative importance to the consumer, noting that it has coordinated with sales outlets to reduce the burden on community members.

The joint national initiative to encourage local production and support sheep meat prices for the month of Ramadan comes to ensure the availability of red meat to citizens at reasonable prices, in addition to creating a balance between supply and demand, which contributes to price stability in the markets. (MORE)

Source: Qatar News Agency