As food prices continue to soar worldwide, fears are being raised here that basic food items could become even costlier since Qatar relies heavily on imports, reports The Peninsula.

Market sources say smaller imports of food consignments because Qatar is a small market is to mainly blame for higher prices. Transportation and labour costs escalate food prices since imports are smaller in quantity as compared to some neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, say experts.

The UAE is also a huge re-export market so they order larger imports and that reduces food prices, said the expert.

Market sources also point to a smaller port, long time taken in clearing food containers from the port and fines imposed by the port for delayed clearance of goods as other major factors that affect food prices.

Experts say at least vegetable prices could be controlled by setting up more greenhouses in the country and they would work, particularly during months excluding July, August and September, which are very hot and humid months.

Asked about recent reports that the country was about to witness a possible shortage of poultry products, a market source said denied there was any shortfall in supplies.

He said that for eight days or so, a poultry company could not produce frozen chicken whose life is short, and that's how the reports of shortages stemmed.

"There is absolutely no shortage of eggs, live or even frozen chicken now," the source told The Peninsula.