Al Wakra fish market sees surge in customers in last week of Ramadan

Al Wakra fish market has received more customers during the last week of Ramadan, after a period of slump since the start of the holy month. The surge in demand has seen higher retail prices, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported.

A number of sellers and traders pointed out that the initial drop in demand was due to the fact that fish is not often preferred by many customers during Ramadan.

They explained that Al Wakra fish market is open for the public on all days except Thursdays and Fridays. There are 22 retail shops and three cleaning stalls.

Dr Abu Aqlah al-Massari, from the health control section of Al Wakra Municipality's Municipal Control Department, said that all the fish at the market is examined several times during the day to ensure they are fit for human consumption.

A spike in summer heat could cause speedy deterioration of the fish on display. He explained that the low sales of fish could lead shops to store the unsold quantities for the next day. Accordingly, the section exercises tighter control on the market to ensure that the fish are stored properly. In addition, the sellers are banned from displaying unsold fish after two days and they are asked to dispose them.

Dr al-Massari, advised all fishermen to store sufficient quantity of ice in their boats and store the fish in adequate ice, as soon as they are caught. Similarly, customers are advised to go home as quickly as possible after buying fish to store them properly in the fridge and to avoid spoiling them due to the hot weather.

 

 

As seen on GulfTimes  Image Credits GulfTimes