Muscat: The prices of vegetables and fruits in the central market are comparatively at low levels compared to previous years and produce is available in sufficient quantities, according to sources in the Central Vegetable Market in Mawelah.
As this will be the first Eid-al Fitr since 2020 that people can celebrate without any restrictions on public and social gatherings, shoppers have been visiting the central market and supermarkets to take advantage of the relatively low prices for groceries this year.
Operating hours of retail stores at the central market for vegetables have been extended from 4 am until 1 pm.
Speaking to some retailers the prices have increased from previous years, but still, it is relatively stable and there have been no major disruptions in the supply of essential commodities.
"We can see the enthusiasm of Omani families as they can celebrate the Eid al Fitr without any concerns over social distancing and people have been shopping in preparation for the big feast back home," said staff at one of the biggest retailers at the market.
The market will remain open on Friday but operations will be suspended first and second days of Eid Al-Fitr. Ninth: Work in the market will resume on the third day of Eid as per the regular schedule.
The consumer price inflation rate in the Sultanate of Oman during the month of March 2023 was about 1.58 percent, according to the survey issued by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The price index of milk, cheese, and eggs increased by 10.44 percent, the prices of fish and seafood by 8.56 percent, the prices of oils and fats by 8.18 percent, the prices of bread and cereals by 4.68 percent, the prices of non-alcoholic beverages by 4.56 percent, the prices of other foodstuffs by 4.19 percent, and the prices of Sugar, jam, honey, and sweets increased by 3.78 percent, fruit prices decreased by 3.57 percent, and meat prices increased by 2.12 percent, while the vegetable group decreased by 3.63 percent.
The Governorate of Al Buraimi witnessed the highest rate of inflation at 2.35 percent, followed by the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah at 1.78 percent, followed by the Governorate of Muscat at 1.77 percent, then Al Dhahirah Governorate at 1.71 percent, followed by the Governorate of North Al Batinah at 1.40 percent, then the Governorate of Dhofar at 1.39 percent. North and South Al Sharqiyah recorded the lowest inflation rate of 1.01 percent.
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