BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- The price of vegetables is expected to increase towards the end of March due to unseasonal winter rain, head of the Palestinian consumer association said Sunday.

"High rain rates will negatively affect the winter season causing a sharp price increase by the end of March," Salah Haniyeh told Ma’an.

The price of Tomatoes, cucumbers and cauliflowers is expected to "skyrocket," Haniyeh said, noting that cucumbers could reach 6 NIS per kilo.

Winter crops, which should start to ripen by March 20, have been adversely affected by the rain and cold, Haniyeh said.

The price of poultry may also increase because cold weather and rain have damaged many farms.

Prices in Israel were also set to increase as many farms located in the Jordan Valley of the occupied West Bank have been damaged by heavy rainfall.

Prices should normalize around May, Haniyeh added.