Business | Markets
No complaints of food price rises this Ramadan
Consumers have not expressed complaints of rising food prices during Ramadan, according to the UAE's Ministry of Economy.
- By Ahmed A. Elewa, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:50 September 18, 2007
- The plan, which was drawn up before Ramadan, includes continuous monitoring of the movement of food prices to detect any manipulative or monopolising practices.
- Image Credit: Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Consumers have not expressed complaints of rising food prices during Ramadan, according to the UAE's Ministry of Economy.
Click here for selected commodities prices (pdf)
The remarks came in reaction to the wide-spread increase in prices during Ramadan last year, which resulted in the establishment of the Consumer Protection Department.
"We have not received any consumer complaints this year regarding any malpractices from retailers, or any unjustified price rises," Dr. Hashem Al Nuaimi, director of the Consumer Protection Department, told Gulf News on Tuesday.
Initiative
The Consumer Protection Department has been conducting a series of price inspection campaigns in coordination with the price monitoring committees established in the various emirates.
"We have worked closely with the local authorities, mainly municipalities and departments of economy to carry out a well-studied plan for maintaining the balance of the price levels this Ramadan," Al Nuaimi said.
The inspection campaigns were carried out in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and another campaign is scheduled in Fujairah today, according to Al Nuaimi.
Meeting
"We have a meeting tomorrow with the local authorities in Fujairah, which will be followed by an inspection campaign at all the foodstuff retail outlets there," he said.
The plan, which was drawn up before Ramadan, includes continuous monitoring of the movement of food prices to detect any manipulative or monopolising practices.
"These campaigns will continue, as we intend to maintain the balance in the markets, with the ultimate goal of protecting the consumers during Ramadan when the demand for food peaks," Al Nuaimi said.
Your comments
I do not agree with the news that prices remained unchanged during the month of Ramadan. For example, price of milk's pack of 4 (1 ltr each) was AED 12.75 before Ramadan but during the month its increased to AED 13.95. these are the prices from one of the major hypermarkets. I hope authroities will take action on this situation.
Zaidi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 19, 2007, 08:29
Believe it or not. Most of the food stuff items are gone double. for example previously I used to buy sugar packets for Dh3 now its reach up to Dh8. And cucumbers which were Dh2 per kilo now its reach up to Dh7 per kg. how come you say that there is no price hike. Please accept the reality now its very difficult for low income peole to survive.
Muniruddin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 19, 2007, 07:44
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