Residents say they don't have to travel a long distance on crowded streets to buy their fruits and vegetables now that a new wholesale and retail market has opened here in the neighbourhood. A cross section of people interviewed by Gulf News hoped the prices will now also be competitive.
The brand new complex is located in Industrial Area No 5. Some said a fish market is also needed. Traders were happy at having a new avenue to expand their business.
They said commercial activity will get a boost. They added that this concept of whole sale and retail will cut down logistic and transport expenses.
"Now vegetables and fruits are being directly brought to the consumers," they pointed out. "Con-signments of agricultural products coming from every corner are also directly transported from the port to the market."
They felt the market compound is well constructed in terms of storage and product display space. Consumers also praised the new complex.
Anwar Hamza, a UAE national, said: "The location of the market is excellent as residents from every corner of Sharjah can reach it in a short time. Shopping always involves the family, so the market saves us from travelling distances on crowded roads, as well as time and effort. The market also covers a massive area, which means free movement while shopping with the family."
More facilities
Hamza said the market needs more facilities such as toilets, mosque, outlets and coffee shops. "Prices are not a big deal because it won't cost as much as travel distances to other places to buy the same items."
Prices of items he bought during his first visit were quite cheap. He hoped that the authorities would attach a fish market within the complex.
Residents in the northern emirates were also happy.
Antony P.J., a cafeteria owner in Ajman, said: "I heard about the new vegetable and fruit market in Sharjah two days ago. I was delighted and made it a point to visit it today. Apart from saving me time and money - as I travelled less to shop here than to some other wholesale markets - I also found the prices were reasonably lower.
"I think many food outlet owners would prefer to come and buy from here."
Antony said it will be helpful for foodstuff outlets, restaurants, hotels and hospitals.
Mohammed Mustafa Falaha, another customer, said: "I hope that the authorities encourage and provide facilities to traders and vegetable and fruit suppliers. Providing traders with facilities will help prices remain low. Authorities should also regularly check quality, and ensure the vegetables and fruit reach consumers quickly, as this will ensure the freshness of products."
Being the nearest market, Falaha said, all residents will continue shopping from the market even should the prices be a little bit higher than elsewhere. He said residents had been looking forward to such a market for a long time.
According to Barakat Moha-mmed, owner of a supermarket in the industrial area and wholesale customer, "I will now save on transport expenses as this market is nearby. Earlier, I used to travel to many places to bring vegetables and fruit for my supermarket.
"Even if the prices fluctuate, I will still be encouraged to shop from here because overall expenses are far lower here."
Mohammed Nazeer, a truck driver who works for a supply company, said the market is expected to attract all agricultural products in the central and eastern regions, the northern emirates as well as from Oman.
"Truckloads from within the UAE and those coming from abroad will now bring products to this market. It is also expected this market will witness big crowds in future.
"I hope that the authorities consider the future traffic on Al Qassimiya road, which runs parallel to the industrial areas and is already crowded.
"The new market will aggravate matters, what with refrigerated trucks also likely to ply regularly in these areas. Hence an expansion in the road or some other option should be considered to avoid traffic congestion that might occur in future."
Vishal Mehta, an Indian trader at the compound, said: "The market is a centre of attraction for those coming from the northern emirates.
Beneficial
"The location is excellent in a manner that it benefits both consumers and suppliers. Residents from every corner of Sharjah can easily reach the market. Suppliers can also now tap into customers who have remained out of reach. Being closer to them, those customers will be encouraged to shop here."
Jameel Jamaluddin, an Egy-ptian product supplier, said: "The airport is the chief gateway for Egyptian agricultural products. Now we can bring fresh vegetables and fruit to our customers in Sharjah and the northern emirates. It is estimated that there are 150,000 Arab expatriates living in Sharjah alone. Earlier, we did not have a market in Sharjah, but the inauguration of this new market means we can directly reach these consumers here."
The market, Jamaluddin said, brings in fresh vegetables and fruit from many Arab countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Consequently, he expected competition on prices to be fierce, depending on quality. "Such competition will be in the interest of consumers," he pointed out.
Abdullah Hussain from an Indian vegetable and fruit supply company said: "The market is essential to us as it opens new markets for our products and brings new customers to our business. It will take time to pick up but no doubt it will be lucrative for traders, and will also attract more customers from the northern emirates."
Hussain felt even a slight mark-up in prices would not hold back customers in Sharjah and the northern emirates from visiting the market as it is the nearest to them, the proximity helping them cut down on travel expenses.
Even on the prices, he expected them to be reasonable due to fierce competition: "The open market policies followed in the UAE have a habit of levelling things out, giving the customers the best deal possible."
Gulf News
