The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has confirmed that it is continuously monitoring the prices of essential consumer goods through a digital price monitoring system connected to 627 major retail outlets across the country. These outlets include consumer cooperatives, hypermarkets and supermarkets, representing more than 90 per cent of the internal trade in essential goods in the UAE, allowing authorities to closely track market prices across all seven emirates.
The pricing policy covers nine key essential items: cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat. Retailers are not allowed to increase prices for these products without prior approval from the ministry, as part of measures designed to prevent unjustified price hikes and protect consumers from sudden price fluctuations.
Through direct technical integration with major retailers, the system automatically receives updated price lists and compares them with approved benchmarks. Any unusual price changes are flagged to inspection teams, enabling authorities to quickly detect violations and take regulatory action when necessary. The initiative operates under the UAE’s Consumer Protection Law, which aims to ensure fair market practices and strengthen consumer confidence.
Residents who notice unjustified price increases can file complaints through the ministry’s website, call 8001222, or email info@moet.gov.ae. Officials have also reassured the public that food supplies remain stable across the country, with no shortages reported in markets.
