Khaleej Times

Vendors receive orders for 1,000 kg fruits and 300 animals per day

Significan­t surge in sales during Ramadan as demand for fruits and meat spikes

- SM Ayaz Zakir ayaz@khaleejtim­es.com

Local vendors, including fruit sellers and meat suppliers, are experienci­ng a significan­t increase in sales in the holy month of Ramadan. This surge in demand is attributed to the essential role these items play during iftar.

“Many people do not consume fruit everyday, regularly. However, during the holy month, it's a daily affair,” said Fareedul Shafique, a fruit vendor at the Waterfront market.

“Our customers visit us once or twice a month on regular days. In the month of Ramadan, they are visiting us nearly every week or every four days,” he added.

Fruits are significan­t during iftar as they provide essential nutrients and hydration after a day of fasting. The faithful often consume dates, which are traditiona­lly taken to break the fast, with refreshing watermelon­s and juicy oranges, among other fruits to replenish their energy and vital nutrients.

Another fruit vendor at the Waterfront, Mohammed Ali, said that during Ramadan, many of them rely heavily on fruits for their iftar meals. “We've seen a noticeable increase in sales, with customers purchasing two to three different types of fruits every day,” Ali said.

“The most purchased fruits are apples and oranges. However, people also prefer nutrient-packed fruits like strawberri­es, blueberrie­s, avocados, bananas, guavas, plums,” Ali said, adding that there is no increase in price for any fruit.

However, for bulk purchases for iftar distributi­on, many residents prefer Al Awir fruit market. “We have daily orders of more than 1,000kg of fruits every day. These are the people who give away or host mass iftar in various parts of the city,” said Saleem Kunji, a fruit wholesaler based in Awir market.

“The main fruits that people prefer for distributi­on during Ramadan are oranges, bananas and apples,” Kunji said.

Similarly, meat sellers are also witnessing a surge in business as the demand spikes during Ramadan. Asgar Khan, a butcher at the Waterfront market, said that Ramadan is a busy time for them and at times they have to work extra hours to cater to their customers.

“Almost everyone who fasts prioritise­s meat in their iftar meals, whether it's for preparing traditiona­l dishes or simply adding protein. We've seen a noticeable increase in sales across all meat varieties,” Asgar said.

“Moreover, in Ramadan, many people try to prepare some unique dishes which require meat from a particular part of the animal's body. People come to us with such orders. On a regular day, our customers come to us once in 10-15 days. However, in Ramadan, it has become a weekly affair,” he said.

One significan­t aspect of meat sales during Ramadan is the wholesale purchase of whole animals for mass iftars organised by charitable individual­s and organisati­ons. Many generous donors opt to buy entire lambs or buffaloes in large quantities for the preparatio­n of meals that are being distribute­d during iftar.

Hamza Malik, a butcher at Sharjah's Sajja livestock market, said they see a considerab­le increase in requests for whole animals during Ramadan, especially from those looking to donate for mass iftars.

“On a daily basis, we have orders for over 300 whole animals every day and these are purchased by the people who distribute and donate iftars every day,” Hamza said.

The most purchased fruits are apples and oranges. However, people also prefer nutrient-packed fruits like strawberri­es, blueberrie­s, avocados, bananas, guavas, plums.” Mohammed Ali, Fruit vendor at the Waterfront

 ?? Fruits are important during iftar as they provide essential nutrients and hydration after a day of fasting. — SUPPLIED PHOTOS ??
Fruits are important during iftar as they provide essential nutrients and hydration after a day of fasting. — SUPPLIED PHOTOS
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