Dh100,000 fine for hiking vegetable prices

Vegetable and fruit dealers raising their prices during Ramadan could face a fine of up to Dh100,000 as they are violating an agreement to keep prices stable during the fasting month, an economy official was quoted on Monday as saying.

Hashim Al Nuaimi, Consumer Protection Director at the Ministry of Economy, made the remarks during a visit to the vegetable market in Abu Dhabi to ensure compliance by sellers with an agreement to keep prices unchanged during Ramadan.

“Dealers unjustifiably raising their products’ prices face a fine of between Dh5,000 and Dh100,000, depending on the type of the offence and whether it is repeated,” he said.

Nuaimi said he did not see any “manipulating” price hikes because there are sufficient supplies in the market, which remain open from 4pm till dawn in line with an agreement with the municipality.

He said vegetable and fruit imports by the UAE surged to nearly 21,000 tonnes a day during Ramadan from an average 16,000 tonnes a day in normal days.

Dubai has emerged as by far the largest importer, with around 16,000 tonnes a day during Ramadan while imports by Abu Dhabi stood at about 5,000 tonnes a day.

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