Middle East: Soaring Rice Prices Worry Consumers

The prices of rice, a staple diet for many in the Kingdom, have gone up sharply with some varieties registering an increase of up to 8 percent, local media reported. Many citizens and residents are complaining about the price rise and have called on the Ministry of Commerce to closely monitor the market. Recently, prices of sugar, powdered milk and tuna have also experienced a similar jump.

A 10-kilogram bag of a certain variety of rice now costs SR53, which was only SR38 a few weeks ago. Low-income people are the most affected by the price rise and are finding it difficult to meet day-to-day expenses. The sharp rise in prices has resulted even in prayer leaders chastising merchants from the pulpit and the Shoura Council summoning the commerce minister to discuss the issue.