Prices begin to come down at Dubai hypermarkets

Dubai: Prices of basic commodities have on average fallen by 12 per cent at the Union Co-operative Society stores in the last three months, according to a price check by Gulf News, indicating a break from more than two years of spiralling hikes in food prices.

The prices of 19 items monitored by Gulf News have decreased by an average of three per cent at Union Co-operative and Carrefour outlets. Union Co-operative registered a price fall of 12 per cent. Prices at Carrefour, however, have risen six per cent.

The average increase in food prices was more than 55 per cent for the period between April 2006 and March 2008, according to our price check of basic commodities at the Union Co-operative Society and Carrefour hypermarkets.

In July, prices started to stabilise as many outlets, under an agreement with the Ministry of Economy, started freezing prices at the 2007 level of a basket of commodities of selected brands to fight inflation.

Brands monitored by Gulf News are separate from those whose prices are fixed under the pact.

Chicken prices have fallen on average by 10 per cent. Carrefour registered a fall of 14 per cent while prices at Union Co-operative fell six per cent.

Union Co-operative has cut the price of a 30-egg tray by 10 per cent and the price of a coffee brand decreased by 23 per cent.

Carrefour reduced the price of five kilos of rice by one per cent. The price of vegetable oil has also fallen around one per cent at both outlets.

However, the price of Australian lamb rose 36 per cent at Carrefour and 14 per cent at Union Co-operative. Vegetable prices have risen by more than 30 per cent.

Have you noticed a decrease in prices of basic commodities? Do you expect any such drop in the near future? How have you adjusted your monthly expenses to accomodate the inflated prices?

Have you noticed a decrease in prices of basic commodities? Do you expect any such drop in the near future? How have you adjusted your monthly expenses to accomodate the inflated prices? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

I think that authorities should check grocery stores and supermarkets to assure that the prices of foods and other goods are reasonable.
Gopal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 09:14

I think authorities should check prices in grocery stores. Many people get their daily necessities from grocery stores, and the prices are still high.
Khurshid Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 08:26

This is great to hear. Still, I think prices could be reduced more.
Tariq Nasrat Ali
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2008, 08:16