Abu Dhabi: Food prices have increased by 4.4 per cent in the fourth week of Ramadan compared to the first week of last month, reflecting a rise in the price of fruits by 14.4 per cent, vegetables by 16.7 per cent, and fish and seafood by 8.4 per cent.
Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi yesterday issued its fourth weekly report on food prices in the month of Ramadan, noting the changes in food prices with the preceding week and the same week in the previous month.
The report is instrumental to the monitoring of food prices by government authorities to ensure there is a sufficient supply of various goods during Ramadan and to protect the consumer. The index is compiled on the basis of a basket consisting of two main groups and 11 sub-groups.
The largest rise was observed in the fruits category in Al Ain, where prices went up 25 per cent, compared with 12.2 per cent in Abu Dhabi and 9.9 per cent in Al Gharbia. Prices in the vegetables group recorded an overall rise of 16.7 per cent. A breakdown of the increase by region reveals a rise in the group’s prices by 16.9 per cent in Abu Dhabi and 18.7 per cent in Al Gharbia and Al Ain.
Scad’s report indicates an increase of 0.4 per cent in the price of food commodities during the fourth week of Ramadan compared with the preceding week, reflecting a rise in the price of fruit by 1.1 per cent, vegetables by 1.0 per cent, and fish and seafood by 4.5 per cent.
A breakdown by region shows increases in most of the food basket groups during the fourth week of the month of Ramadan compared with the previous week. For instance, the price of fruit advanced by an average of 1.1 per cent for Abu Dhabi emirate as a whole, the corresponding rises being 0.8 per cent in Al Ain region and 1.1 per cent in Abu Dhabi. Also, the report shows an increase in vegetable prices — two per cent in the Western Region and 1.5 per cent in Al Ain.
Data was collected from sources through field visits by a team from the Field Operations Section, in collaboration with the Prices and Income Section.
Sources were selected with care being taken to ensure that they are representative of a broad segment of consumers across the emirate of Abu Dhabi during the month of Ramadan.
Scad emphasised the importance of the consumer prices index (CPI) in the promotion of statistical awareness about consumption among the public, especially in the month of Ramadan and other periods where the index can reflect the movement of prices and rates of inflation, helping better planned spending. The index offers a baseline for government authorities to monitor prices and ensure there is a sufficient supply of various goods.
