Abundance of foodstuff but fish prices soar – customers

Souk Mubarakiya wears deserted look

KUWAIT CITY, March 26: For the first time in decades, the most prominent market in Kuwait appears free of people, due to implementation of the Cabinet’s decision to impose a partial curfew throughout the country as of March 22 in order to prevent the outbreak of the new coronavirus, reports Al-Anba daily.

The daily, during a tour of Souk Mubarakiya, observed the conditions of the shops a few hours before the partial ban took effect on its third day – Tuesday. Many of the shops, such as gold, money and clothing stores, remained closed except for stores selling vegetables, fruits and fish.

The daily conducted a poll with the citizens and expatriates present inside the market. They revealed that they are only interested in buying food commodities in light of the current crisis.

The visitors expressed their satisfaction with the availability of food in abundance. However, some of them complained about the scarcity of fish and the increase in their prices due to the high demand and shortage of supply.

One of the market customers affirmed that there is no difficulty in obtaining all the necessary food commodities and basic needs, as they are available in abundance.

He said, “Things are fine, thanks to government decisions. There is no fear of losing them from the market, as claimed by some. This is because there is a strategic stock that can meet the long-term demands”.

Some citizens highlighted that Kuwait had already gone through difficult days, such as the period of the Iraqi invasion, but thanks to the wisdom of the leadership and the concerned authorities as well as the awareness of the people, such days passed smoothly and with ease, due to which the current crisis will also pass as it did before.