The demand for fish has seen an “unusually sharp” drop over the last fortnight, say retailers at the Doha Central Market.
While the demand usually decreases during December, the fall this time has been much bigger and is a cause for concern among stall owners, it is learnt.
The retailers say that even the regular customers are staying away these days. “The supply is satisfactory, but we are not getting enough customers. We don’t know why this is happening,” said a
trader at the market.
The general feeling is that the retail prices are affordable at present compared to the situation a month ago. “The public response is rather poor these days,” said Mohamed Ismail, a supplier at the main market.”
King fish is being sold at prices ranging from QR26 to QR35 per kilo, depending on the size, while the retail price of Hamour is hovering around the QR35 mark. Shamal Safi is priced at QR40-41/kilo.
Cheaper varieties are also available in adequate quantities, it is found. Sardine is available for QR4 a kilo, mackerel for QR6-7/kilo and Sheri (small) for QR7/kilo. However, the demand for even these varieties is not too high, say traders.  
A major supplier said owing to an apparent fall in business, some restaurants that he supplies to have cut down on their fish purchases.
Meanwhile, many fishermen did not venture into the sea over the last four days due to inclement weather. With the weather improving, some have already started returning to work and normal duties are expected to resume today.
Truffles arrive: The Omani Market in Abu Hamour has received a significant quantity of desert truffles from Morocco and Algeria.
Auctions of the item are held there almost every day, according to a report
in local Arabic daily Arrayah.
Traders at the market say the prices of different varieties of truffle are usually governed by the quantity available and fluctuate on a daily basis. The prices range between QR400 and QR600 for a 4kg box of truffles depending on the type and availability. The prices are expected to fall by mid-January when large quantities will arrive from Saudi Arabia and Algeria, the report notes.
Traders also point out that most local customers prefer Qatari truffles, which usually arrive at the same period, but the quantity available for sale is often limited.