Latest news with #MarwanAbuHayla
LBCI
2 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
Imported fruits make a comeback in Syria amid economic strain
After decades of poverty and isolation under the Assad dynasty, imported fruits like pineapples, kiwis, and mangoes are available again in Syria's bustling markets. Fruits that were once designated luxury items, meaning they were accessible only to Syria's wealthiest, are now as common as potatoes or onions, cooking staples for many of the country's population. "We used to smuggle them in," said 46-year-old fruit vendor Marwan Abu Hayla with a big smile as he displayed his produce at Damascus' Shaalan market. Grocers used to face fines and even imprisonment for importing exotic fruits. But now "we do not hide pineapples anymore -- we can put them on display," Abu Hayla told AFP, adding: "The era of pineapple-phobia is over." One kilogram of pineapple used to cost around 300,000 Syrian pounds (around $23) before an Islamist-led offensive ousted leader Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. That has now plummeted to a much sweeter price of around 40,000 pounds, about $4. "We used to smuggle (the fruit) with the help of taxi drivers -- just like petrol and diesel," Abu Hayla said of other commodities that Syrians used to bring in illicitly from neighboring Lebanon when supplies were scarce under Assad. Now "pineapples are like potatoes and onions," he added, as potential customers eyed the ripe fruit. Buyers and sellers linked the fruits' newfound presence to developments, including the free availability of the U.S. dollar since Assad's ousting. Trading in the currency was previously punishable by law. Other signs of change include new cars on the streets and more abundant fuel supplies. The late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad imposed heavy state control over the economic system, which isolated the country from global trade. His son and successor, Bashar, kept up the system to maintain the clan's iron-fisted rule until he was overthrown in December. Fruit seller Ahmed al-Hareth, 45, said tropical fruits -- even bananas -- used to cost the equivalent of a public employee's monthly salary. Customs authorities and security forces would raid stores, further fuelling a limited black-market fruit trade. Medical student Nour Abed al-Jabbar, 24, said she "used to see tropical fruit on screens more often than in markets." However, many people still struggle to buy the fruit in a country whose economy has been ravaged by years of conflict and sanctions and where 90 percent of the people live in poverty. Housewife Ilham Amin, 50, said she had noticed grocery stores becoming more colorful, which "tempts customers to buy." But she steers her children away from the tantalizing new fruit as she cannot afford it. "Living conditions are tough, and pineapple is a luxury for a family like ours," she said. AFP
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
After Assad: Pineapples, kiwis and mangoes make a juicy comeback in Syria
DAMASCUS, May 29 — After decades of poverty and isolation under the Assad dynasty, imported fruits like pineapples, kiwis and mangoes are available again in Syria's bustling markets, making mouths water and eyes twinkle. Fruits that were once designated luxury items, meaning they were accessible only to Syria's wealthiest, are now as common as potatoes or onions, cooking staples for many of the country's population. 'We used to smuggle them in,' said 46-year-old fruit vendor Marwan Abu Hayla with a big smile as he displayed his produce at Damascus's Shaalan market. Grocers used to face fines and even imprisonment for importing exotic fruits. But now 'we do not hide pineapples anymore — we can put them on display', Abu Hayla told AFP, adding: 'The era of pineapple-phobia is over.' One kilogramme of pineapple used to cost around 300,000 Syrian pounds (around RM98) before an Islamist-led offensive ousted leader Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. That has now plummeted to a much sweeter price of around 40,000 pounds, about RM13. 'We used to smuggle (the fruit) with the help of taxi drivers — just like petrol and diesel,' Abu Hayla said of other commodities which Syrians used to bring in illicitly from neighbouring Lebanon when supplies were scarce under Assad. Now 'pineapples are like potatoes and onions', he added, as potential customers eyed the ripe fruit. Bananas Buyers and sellers linked the fruits' newfound presence to developments including the free availability of the US dollar since Assad's ousting. Trading in the currency was previously punishable by law. Other signs of change include new cars on the streets and more abundant fuel supplies. The late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad imposed heavy state control over the economic system, which isolated the country from global trade. His son and successor Bashar kept up the system to maintain the clan's iron-fisted rule until he was overthrown in December. Fruit seller Ahmed al-Hareth, 45, said tropical fruit — even bananas — used to cost the equivalent of a public employee's monthly salary. Housewife Ilham Amin, 50, said she had noticed grocery stores becoming more colourful, which 'tempts customers to buy'. — AFP pic Customs authorities and security forces would raid stores, further fuelling a limited black-market fruit trade. Medical student Nour Abed al-Jabbar, 24, said she 'used to see tropical fruit on screens more often than in markets'. One problem with that: some Syrians who have never had a pineapple before just don't know how to cut it. 'Pineapple is for everyone — even if some people don't know how to peel it,' Jabbar said. However, many people still struggle to buy the fruit in a country whose economy has been ravaged by years of conflict and sanctions, and where 90 per cent of the people live in poverty. Housewife Ilham Amin, 50, said she had noticed grocery stores becoming more colourful, which 'tempts customers to buy'. But she steers her children away from the tantalising new fruit as she cannot afford it. 'Living conditions are tough, and pineapple is a luxury for a family like ours,' she said. — AFP
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
At last, Syrians enjoy mouth-watering fruits of freedom
DAMASCUS: Once, if you saw what looked like a pineapple in a Damascus market, it was more likely to be a hand grenade. Now, after decades of poverty and repression under the Assad dynasty, imported fruit is making mouths water again. Before Bashar Assad was ousted last December, pineapples, kiwis and mangoes were available only on the black market, and only to Syria's wealthiest. 'We used to smuggle them in from Lebanon with the help of taxi drivers, like petrol and diesel,' said Marwan Abu Hayla, 46, a fruit seller at Shaalan market in the Syrian capital. 'Now we can put them on display. The era of pineapple-phobia is over.' Prices have also plunged. Another fruit seller, Ahmed Al-Hareth, 45, said bananas used to cost the equivalent of a public employee's monthly salary. Now a kilo of pineapple is down from 300,000 Syrian pounds, about $23, to $4. One practical problem remains. 'Pineapple is for everyone,' said medical student Nour Abed Al-Jabbar. 'Even if some people don't know how to peel it.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Pineapple Is the New Potato: Imported Fruits Back in Syria
After decades of poverty and isolation under the Assad dynasty, imported fruits like pineapples, kiwis and mangoes are available again in Syria's bustling markets, making mouths water and eyes twinkle. Fruits that were once designated luxury items, meaning they were accessible only to Syria's wealthiest, are now as common as potatoes or onions, cooking staples for many of the country's population. "We used to smuggle them in," said 46-year-old fruit vendor Marwan Abu Hayla with a big smile as he displayed his produce at Damascus's Shaalan market. Grocers used to face fines and even imprisonment for importing exotic fruits. But now "we do not hide pineapples anymore -- we can put them on display", Abu Hayla told AFP, adding: "The era of pineapple-phobia is over." One kilogram of pineapple used to cost around 300,000 Syrian pounds (around $23) before an opposition offensive ousted leader Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. That has now plummeted to a much sweeter price of around 40,000 pounds, about $4. "We used to smuggle (the fruit) with the help of taxi drivers -- just like petrol and diesel," Abu Hayla said of other commodities which Syrians used to bring in illicitly from neighboring Lebanon when supplies were scarce under Assad. Now "pineapples are like potatoes and onions", he added, as potential customers eyed the ripe fruit. - Bananas - Buyers and sellers linked the fruits' newfound presence to developments including the free availability of the US dollar since Assad's ousting. Trading in the currency was previously punishable by law. Other signs of change include new cars on the streets and more abundant fuel supplies. The late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad imposed heavy state control over the economic system, which isolated the country from global trade. His son and successor Bashar kept up the system to maintain the clan's iron-fisted rule until he was overthrown in December. Fruit seller Ahmed al-Hareth, 45, said tropical fruit -- even bananas -- used to cost the equivalent of a public employee's monthly salary. Customs authorities and security forces would raid stores, further fueling a limited black-market fruit trade. Medical student Nour Abed al-Jabbar, 24, said she "used to see tropical fruit on screens more often than in markets". One problem with that: some Syrians who have never had a pineapple before just don't know how to cut it. "Pineapple is for everyone -- even if some people don't know how to peel it," Jabbar said. However, many people still struggle to buy the fruit in a country whose economy has been ravaged by years of conflict and sanctions, and where 90 percent of the people live in poverty. Housewife Ilham Amin, 50, said she had noticed grocery stores becoming more colorful, which "tempts customers to buy". But she steers her children away from the tantalizing new fruit as she cannot afford it. "Living conditions are tough, and pineapple is a luxury for a family like ours," she said.
