UAE | General
Surprise inspections as vegetable prices rise
The Ministry of Economy conducted inspections of vegetable and fruit markets in the capital as part of a special Ramadan campaign. Vegetables have gone up, but the price of fruits remained the same.
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
- Women prepare bread for Suhoor, the pre-fast meal before dawn, at a villa in Satwa.
Abu Dhabi: The price of vegetables has gone up, but the price of fruits remained the same, retailers said yesterday.
Major retail outlets, however, said fluctuations in prices do not affect their rates as they have their own mechanism.
The Ministry of Economy yesterday conducted surprise inspections of vegetable and fruit markets in the capital as part of a special Ramadan campaign.
Retailers said authorities are very strict with them. "About ten officials from various authorities like the Ministry of Economy, the Municipality and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) inspect the market everyday," said a retailer.
Increase
Mohammad Raheem, an Indian who has been working in the market for the last ten years, said the prices of vegetables like cucumber, lettuce, parsley, tomato, potato and onion have gone up during Ramadan.
He said there was a variation in vegetable prices during the last two months.
A wholesale dealer, who did not want to be named, said vegetable prices may go up further because of the high demand during Ramadan in the countries of its origin. "Majority of the vegetables are coming from Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt and there is a high demand in those countries during Ramadan."
Retailers in Mina market said fruits like watermelon, orange, grape, dates and apple will be in demand during Ramadan but their prices are almost stable now.
Mohammad Ali, 45, a Bangladeshi shopkeeper said fruit prices have not gone up ahead of Ramadan. "Prices of oranges from Lebanon, South Africa and Egypt and apples from Iran, Africa, Chile and America have not been affected."
However, a major retail outlet said: "We directly import vegetables and fruits and there is no possibility of shortage in supply. Even though vegetable prices went up in local marts, we have given promotion prices for vegetables," said Bejoy Thomas, Marketing and Sales Manager of Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society.
But he made it clear that super markets have a different business strategy.
RAMADAN PRAYER TIMINGS
- IFTAR 18.27
- Fajr 04.44
- Shuruq 06.04
- Dhuhur 12.21
- Asr 15.48
- Maghrib 18.27
- Isha 19.57
- IMSAK 04.34 (Tomorrow)
- Add 4 minutes for Abu Dhabi, deduct 4 minutes for RAK and 6 minutes for Fujairah.
Latest news
- Sharjah boy tops Indian board's class 12 exams
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Smart e-Gate system launched
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists






