Seasonal fresh vegetable market to reopen in December
Starting from December, Al Wakra will hold a seasonal fresh vegetables market three times a week.
The plan follows the huge success of the winter markets that were opened in places like Al Khor and Al Dhakhira last year.
The first market, called Al Mazrooa, was opened in Umm Salal with much fanfare a few years ago and has now become a permanent and popular feature during the winter months.
Al Mazrooa in Arabic means cultivation in a loose sense and the concept refers to agricultural produce. In Qatar’s context, it means markets to promote local farm produce.
Al Mazrooa markets are popular as they vend fresh vegetables and other produce sourced from local farms at cheaper rates and in very attractive packaging.
Al Wakra market, that will retail vegetables and other produce sourced from some 42 Qatari farms, will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, possibly until April 2015. Al Mazrooa markets are the brainchild of the Ministry of Environment that has an agricultural development department.
The idea is to promote local farm produce, poultry and dairy products and livestock. Honey is one of the most popular Qatari produce in demand, especially the black one called ‘asal’.
Al Wakra is fast-expanding and the idea to open the weekly market there is on popular demand.
Due to huge popularity, the season for Al Mazrooa markets in Al Dhakhira and Al Khor was extended by eight weeks last year, the local Arabic daily Al Raya reported yesterday.
In Al Wakra vegetables market, there will also be an enclosure to sell livestock and another to market poultry meat and products, including live chickens, fish and honey.
Qatari milk, cheese and other dairy products will also be available at the market. Some 42 farms will be taking part in Al Wakra vegetables market and vend their fresh produce.
Last season, large stocks of produce, that included a wide variety of fresh vegetables like cucumber, spinach, lettuce, khoosa, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, cabbages, carrots, capsicum and other popular vegetables were sold that were sourced from Qatari farms.
