Somalia: High watermelon prices in Puntland during Ramadan

GAROWE, Somalia-Prices of fruits and vegetables have skyrocketed by about 43 percent as demand for watermelons always rises during the holy month of Ramadan, Garowe Online reports. 

Traders say, flooding that impeded long range business transport at central Beledweyne Bridge is a reason for the price hike. Business community echoes the same as fruit vendors and attributed the high price of watermelon to dependence on supplies from the south-central regions.

Female fruit seller Abshiro Ahmed Muse told GO inside her stall in Garowe fruit market that a watermelon now sells for USD 7 as against USD 4 it sold before the Ramadan.  

Musse added that only a truckload of watermelons has been offloaded for the holy month unlike previous Ramadans.  

The increase in the price of fruits and vegetables adds to persistent hyperinflation in the weak economy. 

Many families have been affected by flood of paper notes minted at a cash factory in Bossaso port city.  

Somalis break day-long fast with different types of fruits, mostly watermelons. 

Puntland farmers do not grow fruits largely in commercial quantities amidst high transport costs in central and southern Somalia.

GAROWEONLINE