The new markets will likely launch in December, Yousef Al Khulaifi, director of the Department of Agricultural Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), told the Peninsula.
Now in its fourth year, this is the earliest the markets have opened for business following the summer break. There is Al Wakrah Yard, Al Mazrouah Yard near Umm Salal Stadium, and Al Dhakira yard in Al Khor.
The country's markets are located at the Al Mazrouah Yard near Umm Salal Stadium, in Al Khor at the Al Dhakira yard as well as in Al Wakrah. All three markets in Qatar will operate Thursdays to Saturdays from 7am to 5pm, with livestock vendors operating at the same times throughout the week.
The Al Mazrouah Yard near Umm Salal Stadium, the Al Khor/Al Dhakira yard and a newly opened market in Al Wakrah operated Thursdays to Saturdays from 7am to 5pm.
With Qatar importing the overwhelming majority of its food, the market enables shoppers to get their hands on freshly picked produce that hasn’t spent days inside a shipping container.
Two markets - one at the Al Mazrouah Yard near the Umm Salal Stadium and one in Al Khor - will open from Dec. 4, and will feature produce from some 42 Qatari agricultural farms.
Run by the Ministry of Environment, the markets aim to bring Qatar-grown produce, as well as fish and meat, directly to customers throughout the winter months.
Due to the popularity of the produce markets in Umm Salal and Al Khor, the Ministry of Environment has said it plans to launch a third venue for sales in Al Wakra when the markets reopen in December.