As part of preparations for Ramadan 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy has confirmed it will step up monitoring of food prices across the country, warning that retailers who breach pricing rules will face penalties.
The move is aimed at safeguarding consumers during the holy month, when demand for essential food items typically rises.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the inspection campaign will continue throughout Ramadan to ensure stability in the prices of key staples. Authorities will focus on nine essential commodities: cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat.
The ministry has stressed that any unjustified price increases without prior approval will be subject to fines.
Six-month rule on price increases
Last year, the ministry introduced a pricing policy requiring retailers to maintain a minimum six-month gap between two consecutive price increases on basic commodities. The measure was designed to prevent frequent price adjustments and provide greater predictability for consumers.
Officials say the policy remains in force and will be strictly applied during Ramadan.
Digital monitoring platform
To strengthen oversight, the ministry also rolled out a digital platform that tracks the prices of the nine essential items across retail outlets. The system enables authorities to monitor market movements in real time and verify whether any price changes have been approved in advance.
The UAE has consistently emphasised consumer protection and market stability, particularly during peak seasons such as Ramadan, when household spending on food typically increases.
Authorities have encouraged consumers to report suspected violations through official channels, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fair pricing and transparency in the retail sector.
