Articles on the centrality of the fishing industry to Fujairah and to the Emirati diet, receive a new complexion in the light of the soaring price of fresh fish.Fish markets have closed in Kalba and Fujairah due to the interruption to fishing on the UAE east coast but early birds to the supermarkets might be lucky to score some fish for tonight’s dinner. However, in supermarkets today, shoppers were discovering not only a diminishing of volume but a narrowing of the range of fish available.
Supermarkets were working hard to purchase fish for Fujairah customers from nearby Sharjah (hammour, saal and sheri) and from international suppliers in India (Black Pompret) and Pakistan (coffer). Saudi Arabia was also sending fish across the border.
The biggest discovery for Fujairah customers today will be what is written on the price tickets.
At the large Lulu Hypermarket in Fujairah today (9 June 2007) here is an indication of some of the price increases (in dirham per kg) according to their fishmongers:
Hammour, usually 28.00 today 36.00
Saal, usually 9.90 today 17.00
Sheri, usually 7-10 today 17.00
Coffer, usually 8-9 today 22.00
Shop assistants were reporting other foods in short supply, possibly causing a rise in prices. Omani supplies of bottled water had been disrupted due to Cyclone Gonu. Other Fujairah brands such as Masafi water were still available.
Vigilant shoppers might want to check today’s supermarket prices against the price of goods on 7 April 2007 when a large number of goods from the Fujairah Lulu Hypermarket were listed and prices recorded. The link for this list is ‘Food Shopping in the United Arab Emirates.’
Geoff Pound
Image: Fish at Fujairah Lulu Hypermarket today.
