Autumn season puts pressure on vegetable prices
LIBYA – Lt Col Mohamed Al-Naem, spokesman for the Municipal Guard, said the rise in the prices of some vegetables is mainly linked to the market entering the autumn season, a transition between production seasons in which some crops decline while others gradually appear.
Reliance on stored and imported produce
Al-Naem told the Al-Raed news network, which is close to the Justice and Construction Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, that shortages of some products push traders and farmers to rely on crops kept in cold storage or on imported vegetables.
Dollar, customs and health checks affect imports
He noted that the prices of imported products are affected by import costs, the dollar exchange rate, customs procedures and health inspections, while stored produce may be subject to price speculation.
The Municipal Guard does not set prices
Al-Naem stressed that the Municipal Guard has no authority to set or lower prices on its own, explaining that setting an official price list in emergencies falls within the remit of the economy offices.
Monitoring compliance once prices are issued
He added that once any official price list is issued, the Municipal Guard monitors compliance and deals with violations.
Greenhouse output expected to rise at the end of October
Al-Naem said greenhouse vegetable production starts to rise at the end of October, as the output of some open-field crops declines, which could help improve the availability of vegetables in markets during the winter.
