Why is the veggie souk closed to the public?

Central vegetable market enforces new regulations
By Sarmad Qazi
Staff reporter

The Central Fruit and Vegetable Market’s wholesale section has become off-limits to the general public and walk-in customers following changes that came into effect yesterday.
Located in the Abu Hamour area, the market has been at the centre of intense speculation for days after official circulars with conflicting messages started appearing during the last month.
The Doha Municipality first issued a notice informing vendors that the retail sale of produce at the wholesale section would be stopped from May 1 and entry into the premises would be restricted with daily auctions taking place for two hours between 6.30am and 8.30am.
“Adding to the speculation of whether the changes will really be enforced or not was another circular, dated April 27, by the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the Ministry of Business and Trade, which talked about changes starting
from June 1,” a business-owner said.
The CPD notice talked about various changes ( putting a limit on the higher end of bids, etc.) but the date of enforcement was different, causing further confusion.
The entire market was uncertain when the business closed on Thursday as to what would happen on Sunday but an overwhelming number of employees and traders said things were likely to continue as they had been.
Yesterday, however, the main entrance to the wholesale section was guarded and all those entering were requested to show their IDs with gates closing at 10.30am.
“Today the wholesale section is likely to be closed around 9am, the stipulated time. At night (when trucks offload), the section is expected to open at 10pm,” a trader said.
Adjacent to the section is another venue where much of the local produce is sold. The local section has not been affected by the new changes. However, it only offers certain leafy vegetables, marrows and tomatoes.