Silal Market reduces fruit and vegetable loss rate to under 5%

Muscat: The Central Fruit and Vegetable Market, known as Silal, has achieved a significant milestone by reducing the loss rate of fruits and vegetables to less than 5%. This is a substantial improvement from the 35% loss rate experienced at the previous Mawaleh Market.

Ali bin Muslim Al-Muqbali, Managing Director of Silal, attributed this success to the market's state-of-the-art facilities, including an air-conditioned exhibition hall that provides a controlled environment for agricultural products. In contrast, products at Mawaleh Market were displayed in an open hall exposed to harsh weather conditions, particularly during the summer, leading to rapid spoilage and a higher loss rate.

Al-Muqbali emphasised that Silal, the region's newest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables, has significantly reduced loss rates due to its integrated facilities. The market offers an ideal environment for displaying, sorting, and storing products, ensuring that large quantities of vegetables and fruits are handled efficiently and preserved in optimal conditions. The refrigerated warehouses and air-conditioned display areas have played a crucial role in maintaining product quality, enabling high-quality produce to reach consumers.

The Silal Market features an air-conditioned wholesale hall spanning 30,000 square meters and includes 90 refrigerated warehouses, each measuring 126 square meters. Plans are underway to expand cooling and storage areas by an additional 21,000 square meters, increasing the market's capacity to approximately 31,000 tons. This expansion aligns with the growing demand from traders and local and international companies operating within the market.

Located in the Food City at Khazaen Economic City in Barka, South Al Batinah Governorate, Silal benefits from its strategic position along the Al Batinah Expressway. It is only half an hour from Muscat International Airport and Suwaiq Port and about two hours from Sohar Port, facilitating the efficient movement of goods to and from the market and ensuring prompt delivery to various local markets.

Al-Muqbali highlighted that Silal, as a wholesale hub for receiving and redistributing vegetables and fruits across Oman, is equipped with facilities that meet the stringent quality requirements of the sector. One of the key facilities is the one-stop inspection station, which provides integrated services while adhering to all health standards. The reduction in the loss rate at Silal underscores the market's role in advancing Oman’s wholesale sector for fruits and vegetables. Al-Muqbali expressed optimism about achieving even more positive outcomes in the areas of storage, handling, and marketing of local products, meeting the aspirations of traders, consumers, and all stakeholders involved with Silal.