Food prices rise 4% in Ramadan

Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD) has reported an increase of four per cent in the prices of the basket food commodities during the third week of the Holy Month of Ramadan, compared with the first week of the previous month, reflecting rises in the prices of "Fruits" by 13.1 per cent, vegetables by 15.6 per cent, and "Fish and seafood" by 3.7 per cent.

As for the changes in the expenditure groups detailed by region, the largest rise was observed in the "Fruits" group in Al Ain region, where the group advanced by 24.0 per cent, compared with 11.0 per cent in the Abu Dhabi region and 9.1 per cent in Al Gharbia region. Prices of the "Vegetables" group recorded an overall rise of 15.6 per cent, according to SCAD's third weekly report on food prices in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

 A breakdown of the increase by region reveals a rise in the group’s prices by 16.0 per cent in Abu Dhabi, 16.3 per cent in Al Gharbia and 17.0 per cent Al Ain region.

This issue of the report monitors changes in food prices during the Third week of Ramadan compared with prices levels in the preceding week and the same week in previous month.

The report data is instrumental to the monitoring of food prices by the government authorities, to ensure that there is sufficient supply of various good during Ramadan, as well as to exercise consumer protection. For the first time, the inflation rate it is detailed by region for higher accuracy.

The food price index methodology has been developed by a team of experts in conformity with relevant international standards. The index is compiled on the basis of a basket consisting of two main groups and 11 sub-groups.

Week over week comparisons

SCAD’s report indicates an increase of 0.4 per cent in the prices of food commodities during the Third week of Ramadan compared with the preceding week, reflecting rises in the prices of "Fruit" by 1.5 per cent, "Vegetables" by 1.0 per cent, "Meet" by 0.2 per cent. "Fish and Sea Food" by 0.5 per cent.

A Breakdown by region shows increases in most of the basket food groups during the Third week of the month of Ramadan compared with the previous week. For instance, the price of "Fruit" advanced by an average of 1.5 per cent for Abu Dhabi Emirate as a whole, the corresponding rises being 1.0 per cent in Al Ain region and 1.5 per cent in Abu Dhabi. Also the report shows the increase in ""Vegetables" the corresponding rises being 2.2 per cent in Al-Ain region and 1.4 per cent in Al Gharbia region.

SCAD added that the updated methodology of the daily food price index has already been approved; pointing out that it is consistent with relevant international recommendations and standards. The index basket consists of 214 items.

Price data are collected by SCAD from sources selected on the basis of field visits paid by a team from the Field Operations Section, in collaboration with the Prices and Income Section. Sources were selected with care being taken to ensure that they are representative of a broad segment of consumers across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during the month of Ramadan.

SCAD emphasised the importance of the consumer prices index (CPI) in the promotion of statistical awareness about consumption among the public, especially in the holy month of Ramadan and other periods where the index can reflect the movement of prices and rates of inflation, thus helping better planned spending. In addition, the index offers a baseline for government authorities concerned to monitor prices, ensure that there is sufficient supply of various goods, exercise consumer protection, learn about consumption patterns during the holy month thereby obtaining inputs for future planning in this regard.

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