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Monday 17 Mar 2025
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Local Market in Male'. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Maavee)
Ramadan is usually one of the most profitable months for vegetable and fruit vendors. But market vendors are reporting a sharp decline in revenue this year.
The local market in Male’ usually bustles with activity in Ramadan, as people flock there to buy fruits, vegetables, and staples such as coconuts.
But vendors report a significant dip in their revenue.
Vegetable vendor Mohamed Arif told Sun on Sunday that there are several reasons for the decline.
He believes the biggest factor is the country’s current economic situation, which has spelled into a decline in the number of shoppers who come to the market, resulting in a steep fall in demand.
Arif believes business will continue to go down given that the government will be closed the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Arif said that there are no issues with the supply. Market stalls are getting fresh shipments every other day.
Farmers also report a similar decline in revenue.
Aishath Junaidha, a councilwoman from AA. Thoddoo, said that she too is a farmer. But she said that the island’s farmers haven’t been making much of a profit this Ramadan. She also said that farms sustained heavy damages in the recent spell of bad weather.
Thoddoo is an island famous for its watermelons. It also grows chilis and other produce.
However, business is low this Ramadan, compared to previous years.
Junaidha said that the experience is shared by farmers from other islands.
Midway into Ramadan, the prices of fruits and vegetables have remained fairly stable, despite earlier concerns that prices may rise.
MARKET PRICES:
A shortage in coconuts had raised prices to as high as MVR 40 during Ramadan. The State Trading Organization (STO) brought in shipments of coconuts from overseas to stabilize the prices.
The company said it would be bringing in new coconut shipments every 10 days.
