Prices stabilise for basic consumer goods

Dubai: With the continuing global economic downturn, consumers need to further tighten their grocery budget, spend wisely and look for more value for their money, which usually means looking for cheaper alternatives for any product or services, officials said.

Consumers, however, were given some relief through an initiative by the UAE Ministry of Economy to cut food prices by up to 30 per cent in line with the global trend of decreasing prices of commodities.

Discounts on some items across the country, including meat, rice and other basic food products, are part of the programme initiated by the Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Economy.

The latest consumer price index released by the Ministry of Economy revealed that the campaign has been taking effect.

According to the price index, the price of two kilogrammes of fine granulated sugar, pure refined cane imported from Australia has remained the same in Carrefour Dubai (Dh4.75) and in Al Ittihad Cooperative Society (Dh6.50) since the last price index released March 2.

In the other emirates like Umm Al Quwain, prices have remained stable since the first week of March. A kg of tomatoes sourced from Jordan is still sold for Dh2 at Umm Al Quwain Cooperative Society, while Lulu Centre still sells the same product for Dh2.25.

A bag of local white bread is sold in almost all the emirates for a uniform price of Dh2.50.

The prices have come down, but much more needs to be done at the hypermarkets. Small groceries sell the basic commodities on the same price rather one or two dirhams more than the big stores. With this recession we indeed need to cut our budget but we have to feed our children.
Sophy
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2009, 11:39