Page 379 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - DECEMBER 2024

UAE clamps down on price rises for staple foods

including rice, eggs and cooking oil

The UAE on Tuesday set out new measures to bolster price controls on staple foods, with a minimum
six-month gap between increases, to protect consumers.

The Ministry of Economy announced federal decrees to come into e ect on January 2 to tighten
regulations on charges to customers for nine items: cooking oil, eggs, dairy, rice, sugar, poultry,
legumes, bread and wheat. These regulations also cover some related items, along with prices for
cleaning products, the ministry said.

The ministry said the policies, which will complement existing rules on the sale price of food
products, would provide additional government oversight and allow customers to act against
suppliers and retailers flouting the law.

Under the directives, prices can only be raised with approval from the ministry. A task force is to be
established to monitor prices, review requests to increase them and address complaints.

The strengthened laws aim to guard against price fluctuations “caused by unforeseen circumstances
or external economic changes”, the ministry said.

Shops and online retailers with premises exceeding 1,000 square metres will be mandated to display
prices per unit “in a clear and understandable manner using standardised units of measurement for
each product”.

Abdullah Al Saleh, undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, said the display pricing directive aims
to promote transparency and provide consumers with accurate information. It also aims to “foster
fair competition among products by considering their unit price rather than solely relying on overall
promotional prices currently in the market”, said Mr Al Saleh.

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/national/uae-clamps-down-on-price-rises-for-staple-foods-
including-rice-eggs-and-cooking-oil/ar-AA1wqVXc?ocid=BingNewsSerp