Relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates are adopting a proactive approach to enhance market stability and solidify a comprehensive consumer protection system during the holy month of Ramadan. This is achieved through close coordination between federal and local authorities and the private sector, ensuring the availability of essential goods, price stability, and boosting consumer confidence.
The relevant authorities have intensified efforts to boost strategic food stockpiles and enhance supply chain readiness through early planning and coordination of import, storage, and distribution operations. This aligns with the seasonal increase in consumer demand. Building up stocks early enables retailers to manage demand levels efficiently, avoid potential pressures on supply chains as the holy month approaches, and ensure product availability while maintaining price stability.
Trade movement data from DP World indicates that retailers in the region are proactively planning ahead to secure food supplies six to eight weeks before the start of Ramadan, with larger volumes of essential foodstuffs flowing through Jebel Ali.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism confirmed that the ongoing government monitoring of essential goods' prices and availability during Ramadan will continue, based on an advanced legislative and regulatory framework that balances markets and protects consumer rights. The ministry held 26 meetings with major suppliers and importers to ensure the smooth flow of essential goods and prevent price hikes. It also conducted 420 inspection tours and field visits to sales outlets to monitor compliance with approved pricing policies and prevent any violations.
An electronic price monitoring system linked to 627 key sales outlets, representing over 90% of the domestic trade volume of essential consumer goods in the country, allows for direct price tracking and monitoring of any unjustified changes. The ministry also continues its awareness campaigns by publishing the 'Consumer Guide' on digital platforms and encouraging consumer communication.
The ministry reported that its regulatory efforts in 2025, in cooperation with economic departments, included conducting 155,218 inspection tours, resulting in 7,702 violations. It resolved 93.9% of incoming complaints and recovered 551,976 products as part of recall requests, reflecting the efficiency of the monitoring system.
These efforts are complemented by the plans of economic departments and consumer protection institutions across the emirates, which have intensified their inspection campaigns in wholesale and retail markets, as well as in traditional and online sales points. This aims to ensure price clarity, offer credibility, and guarantee the availability of goods in market-needed quantities, especially during Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr, while also promoting a culture of responsible consumption.
In this context, the Dubai Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Corporation told Emirates News Agency (WAM) it had conducted over 220 regulatory visits to sales outlets in preparation for Ramadan. These visits aimed to ensure the availability of primary and secondary products, price stability, and offer transparency, while intensifying specialized campaigns during the month.
In the private sector, major retail outlets have announced expanded plans to boost stockpiles and launch seasonal promotional campaigns, supporting household purchasing power. These outlets have developed comprehensive plans focused on price stability and supply enhancement. They include launching discounts on various product categories and securing a stable flow of essential goods such as rice, flour, sugar, cooking oils, fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, poultry, and dates, in cooperation with international and regional suppliers. This ensures their availability at competitive prices throughout the holy month.
Representatives of retail outlets who spoke to Emirates News Agency (WAM) affirmed their commitment to maintaining fair and stable prices for daily necessities. They also mentioned offering wide discounts across various departments, including groceries, fresh food, clothing, electronics, and home appliances, while enhancing multi-channel sales capabilities through stores, digital platforms, and delivery services.
