Dubai retailers caught in Ramadan price rise

Rises of between two and 50 per cent were found on items like flour, cooking oil and sugar.

DUBAI // Some hypermarkets have been caught raising food prices by up to 50 per cent immediately before Ramadan.

The unnamed retailers have been reported to the Ministry of Economy for "appropriate action" to be taken.

Inspectors found increases of up to 8 per cent on frozen meat, 12 per cent on fish, 39 per cent on sugar and 50 per cent on fruit and vegetables.

"Monitoring prices is an integral part of our efforts to protect consumer rights," said Omar Bushahab, consumer protection chief at the Department of Economic Development in Dubai.

"We work closely with retail outlets and take necessary action on consumer complaints."

Mr Bushabab praised some retailers for showing "remarkable social responsibility" by cutting or freezing the prices of essential food items.

"They reduced prices of items like fresh chicken, frozen chicken, lamb and flour by up to 77 per cent," he said.