Residents rush to stockpile rice after UAE traders' warning

Dubai: Residents are stocking non-basmati rice despite the increase in prices as food traders warn that the country will soon face a shortage in supply.

It was reported on Tuesday that food traders in the region predict that the current stock of Indian non-basmati rice in the UAE will not last beyond 10 days, much to the worry of customers.

"I have Egyptian rice three times a week, and the prices are going up on a regular basis. The price has shot up from Dh7.50 to Dh11.50 in the past month, and I am worried that the prices will continue to rise even further if there is a shortage. If the supply completely runs out, then I will have to resort to eating bread instead of rice if I do not stock up on it quickly," said Abdul Basid Bayoun, from Egypt.

Ban on exports

Customers have already been forced to change their eating habits as a result of India banning the exports of non-basmati rice to the UAE in March because of rising inflation, which in turn caused other rice producing countries to raise their prices.

"I used to eat basmati rice from India but then had to stop," said Habib Rahman, an Indian who is used to eating rice everyday. "I then switched my habits and now only eat Thai rice once a week and that has also become a burden because it is becoming more expensive."

In the past four months, basmati rice is not commonly seen anymore on the supermarket shelves as Pakistani rice exporters said they are reducing their exports from the UAE market as they are not getting the rate they demand.

The UAE Ministry of Economy has fixed the price of a 40kg bag at Dh140, well below the market price of Dh200 to Dh210.

Mohammad Taha, a Palestinian, said he buys American rice, and is not that concerned about the potential shortage of non-basmati rice that is predicted by food traders.

"I think that the price of rice in general will increase, and find it highly unlikely that the supply of non-basmati rice will finish in 10 days," he said.

"I will certainly be affected if there is not enough supply of non-basmati rice and will have to buy as much as I can while the stocks last. The price has almost doubled in one month from Dh38 to Dh66 for 10kg of Thai rice, and I worry that the prices will rise even further once there is a shortage," said Mark Lu.

Lea Marcelo, from the Philippines, said that she was concerned whether she will have enough time to stock up on rice before they are all bought off the supermarket shelves.

"Everybody is worried about a rice shortage, and I have not yet stocked up. I eat rice twice a day and it is an important part of my diet because I do not think I will be able to change my eating habit."

Have you stocked up on your rice supplies? Did the shortage of rice affect your eating habits? Do you think the shortage will be more acute in the coming months? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

This is very scary. already the price of basmati has risen to near unaffordable levels. A popular brand from Asia not very highly priced has gone up by close to Dhs 5/- per kilo in the past few months. Is even rice going to see an 'oil' boom?
Ahmed
dubai,uae
Posted: July 09, 2008, 11:47

I am actually least bothered about this article/news regarding Indian rice will be depleted in the market stock. Well I do like to have Indian rice at least 3 times a wk or at least once a day, there is no problem having it twice a day too cz I am used to eating rice more than anything else. I did not stock the same and do not know how long the stock I have home will last hopefully next couple of days. If at all I really want to eat rice i would rather go back India where I do have a paddy field to cultivate rice and start eating enjoy my life there.
Rajesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 11:29

I had purchased the last new of basmati rice @ Rs.2400/- per 50kgs which sharply increased to Rs.5000/- My area produces the high quality (1st grade) basmati and that is why I enjoy this commodity even at higher price. Sialkot District is very famous for producing the high quality rice, however, the phenomena of dearth has dominated this area also.
Mohammad
Sialkot,Pakistan
Posted: July 09, 2008, 10:23

stocking rice may not last longer. One has to compromise and adjust with the current crisis, and switch on to the easy available resources, which might keeps a person tension free.
suchitra
sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 09:39

I have 4 members in my family, There are no stock in my home ( 20 Kg rice and 6 kg flour available ). We start to carb our eating habit. Shortage may be more for short period and it is created by some countries and business groups.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 09:36

I love to eat Pakistani Basmati rice and am really afraid to read about the shortage. Food prices are getting higher and higher in Dubai. Can't understand what is happening?
M.Imran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 08:53

Whether the supply shortage is true or not, it is bound to happen now that consumers are brought to believe it. It is like when a study suggests that the country is going to go through a recession. People consequently cut down their spending in fear of the recession, and as a result, cause the recession. Now the stock of rice will not last more than a day with all these consumers running to the shops...
Mary
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 08:51