A “steep” rise in the price of large watermelons, weighing 5kg or more, since the beginning of the month has come as a rude shock to consumers as the fruit is a favourite during the peak summer months.
Enquiries at the Doha Central Market found that watermelons - imported from a Middle Eastern country - that used to be sold for QR1-1.50/kg during the corresponding period last year now costs QR4.50-5/kg.
Attributing the price rise to both a shortage as well as higher demand in the neighbouring markets, some of the traders said stringent screening procedures in the movement of fruits and vegetables arriving by road and an apparent shortfall in production in places such as Jordan have hit the supply of watermelons in the local market.
The price rise comes at a time when the holy month of Ramadan has begun and there is a huge demand for the fruit owing to its high water content.
“Last year, watermelons weighing up to 10kg were available locally for prices ranging between QR1.2/kg and QR1.5/kg,” recalled a retailer. 
A resident said besides the central market, watermelons used to be sold from vehicles parked on deserted stretches along the main roads between Wukair and the Industrial Area and also on some stretches of Salwa Road after the Doha Industrial Area interchange. However, this time such vendors are not to be seen on the roads.
Owing to the high price, watermelons are not being stocked at many of the smaller supermarkets, it is found. 
While consumers hope that prices will come down, they say they have “no choice but to cope with the high rates for now”. “Yesterday, with no other option, I was forced to buy a 10kg watermelon for QR50,” said Abdul Salam, a resident.