Prioritising spirit over spinach

Food price hikes in Ramadan are as constant as the crescent that announces the beginning of the holy month, sending a lunar signal to retailers: get ready, get set, rip off.

The cycle of blame for this increase is like a trading musical chairs: Consumers accuse unscrupulous traders of hiking the prices of certain commodities just before Ramadan. Others suggest sellers are withholding products to artificially stimulate demand. On the other hand, retailers blame their suppliers who blame the seasonal fluctuations in supply and demand.

Regardless of all the finger-pointing, you're probably still grumbling at the price tags at your local supermarket every time you hand over one hard-earned note after the next.

This Ramadan it's time to take matters into your own hands, so trade in the irritation for some initiatives.

Sure, it is the month of giving and you would expect retailers to show some mercy in their pricing, but that defies market logic and the spirit of entrepreneurship. Ramadan is prime season for the folks on the other side of the cashier and they'll be cashing in.

And yes, the Ministry of Economy's Consumer Protection Department has toured the fruits and vegetable markets across three emirates for some wrist-slapping if the vendors failed to comply with pre-set prices. It has also fined five Dubai outlets that did not display price tags on products in a media exercise last week.

Still, over Iftar gatherings with friends and relatives the talk among the women inevitably turns to the latest price increase in vegetable X and fruit Y, while the men complain that they can't find some leafy green vegetables.

Part of the solution

But consumers can be a part of the solution to the Ramadan pricing frenzy. It all starts with some strategic shopping.

The frenzy begins when flustered families panic two days before Ramadan and do their shopping for the entire month in the last minute.

I made the mistake of going to a Dubai co-op at that time and was caught in the midst of a stampede. Women elbowed me out of the way to catch their prized can of tomato paste and men charged at me with fully-loaded trolleys in the race towards the rice aisle—that was after a gang of kids toppled me over on their quest for cereal. Pause that frame, right there.

Next year get an early start, shopping a couple of weeks in advance. Procrastination will only give retailers a chance to cash in on seasonal demand and increase food prices.

Many families buy ingredients in advance and freeze them for use during Ramadan. Some of my fondest family memories of Ramadan was going along with my mum to buy the flat dough and assorted nuts used to make atayef, a traditional Ramadan pastry.

Sitting together to stuff the dough with cinnamon, coconut, and nuts, I would feel like a grown-up helping her out with the cooking.

While your growling stomach might advice otherwise, go shopping for what you need rather than for a sultan's feast. Ironically, Ramadan has become synonymous with over-consumption.

Moderation

The month of self-discipline and moderation sees people throwing out huge quantities of food after Iftar because they cannot possibly eat that much. A drive by some neighbourhoods in Dubai reveals dustbins stuffed with wasted rice and meat.

Last week, the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) urged consumers to be proactive.

"The role of the consumer is to be aware and not to buy commodities in excess during Ramadan, therefore the demand will not rise, and consequently prices will not increase," it said in a statement.

Adhering to the true spirit of Ramadan can spare you a dime when the price of food gets too unholy.