Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism and head of the Supreme Consumer Protection Committee, conducted an extensive field visit to the Al Awir Central Market for fruits and vegetables in Dubai. The purpose of this visit was to ensure that there is an adequate supply of food products available to the public during the ongoing regional crisis, and to confirm that there are no shortages in the displayed goods.
The tour included visits to various retail outlets, shops, and wholesale stores to monitor compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations, ensuring price transparency and market stability.
Critical Priority
Minister Al Marri emphasized that securing food for the public and safeguarding consumer rights in the UAE is a critical priority that cannot be overlooked. He stressed that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism will not tolerate any violations or unethical commercial practices that could affect market stability or consumer rights. Furthermore, the ministry is committed to taking all necessary legal actions against violators, including imposing fines, to ensure adherence to laws and regulations aimed at maintaining the supply of food products in the country at fair and safe prices for the public.
During the visit, he noted that daily import levels of fruits and vegetables at Al Awir Market continue to function normally amid the regional crisis, with sufficient food supplies available. This reflects the high readiness of the country’s strategic reserves and the stability of supply and sale operations across various market outlets, ensuring that consumer needs are met without shortages or price hikes.
Minister Al Marri highlighted that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in continuous collaboration with economic departments and relevant stakeholders, monitors stock levels at suppliers and retail outlets daily. They conduct thorough analyses of the sufficiency of each essential food item to ensure continuous availability and to prevent potential shortages. This oversight facilitates proactive decision-making to maintain price stability, especially since the ministry has planned over 420 inspection rounds during the holy month of Ramadan.
He explained that market oversight is carried out by specialized teams from the ministry and economic departments, alongside the use of the ministry’s electronic price monitoring system. This system allows for real-time tracking of prices and is linked to 627 major retail outlets, including cooperatives, hypermarkets, and large stores, which comprise approximately 90% of the domestic trade of essential consumer goods in the country.
It is worth noting that since the onset of the regional crisis, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with economic development departments, has conducted around 4,468 inspection rounds across various markets in the country. These inspections have uncovered 554 violations, primarily involving unjustified price increases, resulting in 449 warnings issued to traders, suppliers, and retail outlets, along with fines totaling 176,000 dirhams.
Ahmad Ahli, the Director of Consumer Protection at Dubai’s Consumer and Fair Trade Authority, stated that field monitoring operations continue across all retail outlets in the emirate. The results indicate price stability and availability of products at all venues, with substantial stock levels, while supply chains are operating optimally.