Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, emphasized that major retailers must adhere to the new pricing policy for nine essential consumer goods and are not allowed to increase prices without justification.
During his visits to Lulu Cooperative Union and five other major stores, he assessed their compliance with this policy to ensure that the prices of essential goods—including cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, chicken, legumes, bread, and wheat—are transparently displayed and remain stable without unjustified hikes.
According to the UAE Ministry of Economy’s announcement in December 2024, retailers cannot raise the prices of these goods without prior approval. Furthermore, starting in 2025, a minimum gap of six months is required between two consecutive price increases on essential goods. This regulation aims to protect consumer rights and promote fair competition in the market.
With Ramadan approaching—a period when consumer spending typically rises and the sales of essential goods experience double-digit growth—the new policy places special emphasis on price control.
Al Marri stated that the goal of this oversight is to ensure the successful implementation of the pricing policy, uphold fair trade principles, strengthen market monitoring, and guarantee the availability of high-quality goods and services. He also urged consumers to participate in monitoring efforts and report any violations to the ministry.
