Picture used for illustrative purposes.

The Ministry of Economy (MoE) announced that it would impose deterrent penalties against suppliers and retailers who fail to abide by the Ministerial Resolution No. 41 of 2023 issued on March 6, 2023, regarding a temporary hike in the prices of eggs and poultry products in the country by a maximum of 13 per cent.

The fine for violation of the resolution is not less than Dhs10,000 and reaches up to Dhs200,000 in the event of a repeat violation, the Ministry said, noting that more will be announced later. “The Ministry’s inspection teams and the local economic departments had conducted intensive campaigns to monitor the prices of egg and poultry products in all sales outlets in the country to detect any unjustified hike in their prices,” MoE said.

The teams have already conducted 300 inspection tours during the month of Ramadan, covering all consumer outlets, cooperative societies, egg and chicken markets, and groceries nationwide, in order to ensure the commitment of suppliers and retailers to the established rate of increase by 13%.

The Ministry also explained that it had taken into account reducing the negative effects on people with limited income when it approved the hike in eggs and poultry products by providing cheaper alternatives to consumers, and ensuring an abundance of products, in order to maintain a stable and prosperous economic environment for the UAE community.

It also affirmed its commitment to maintaining a fair and balanced relationship between suppliers and consumers, ensuring market stability, preventing unjustified price hikes and combating monopolistic practices through monitoring the markets, in cooperation with all competent authorities across the country.

The Ministry has prepared a list of about 365 egg and poultry products with the official price set by it. Consumers will be able to view this list through the website of the Ministry of Economy and the websites of the competent authorities. Moreover, the list will also be published in various media to help consumers know the official price of goods in outlets.

MoE called on consumers to report any negative commercial practices and any price differences at sales outlets to it through (8001222). It also called on sales outlets and suppliers in the country to adhere to consumer protection legislation, in addition to preserving the quality and safety of commodities and food products, in a way that supports consumers' rights and ensures a balanced relationship between the rights of merchants and suppliers on the one hand, and sales outlets on the other.

WAM