UAE announces big fines on cheap chicken, eggs
Following the UAE Ministry of Economy’s (MoE) decision to increase the price of eggs and poultry, inspections have been carried out to monitor prices and enable efficient business practices to enhance market stability.
Authorities have been inspecting the prices of egg and poultry products in the country’s retail outlets
The UAE’s Ministry of Economy have warned that it would impose fines of Dh10,000 on retailers and suppliers. This is for raising egg and poultry prices by more than 13 percent. But the penalty will be increased up to Dh200,000 for repeated violations.
Last month, the UAE’s Ministry of Economy said it was working on updating federal law No. Consumer protection bill 15 of 2022, which includes specific penalties for retailers violating consumers’ rights – will provide more details.
This decision has been taken to maintain a fair and balanced relationship between suppliers and consumers and ensure market stability. Recently, the ministry allowed retailers to hike egg and poultry prices by up to 13 percent. This was in line with the increase in prices of raw materials and the higher costs of imports.
To keep prices in check and ensure they won’t rise higher than the 13 percent limit, inspectors have been visiting grocery stores, egg and chicken markets, and cooperative societies across the country.
During Ramadan, around 300 inspections were conducted. Top local government officials said they were working closely with the MoE. During these field visits, several establishments have already been fined for price hike violations.
Salim Al Suwaidi, deputy director of the Commercial Control and Protection Department in the SEDD, said the department has intensified its inspections of the emirate’s markets.
In 2022, 94,123 inspections were conducted, finding 4,227 violations. In 2023, the number of inspections during the first few months of 2023 stood at 8,170, resulting in 1,030 violations.
List of prices
The MoE has released a list of around 365 egg and poultry products, with approved prices. This document is available for download from the ministry’s website, and it will be published in media outlets.
Consumers are urged to report any price differences they spot in supermarkets and other retail outlets. They may call the authorities at 8001222.
Sharjah residents who wish to report price irregularities may contact the SEDD at 80080000 or by visiting www.sedd.ae. Those in Ajman may contact the emirate’s economic department at 80070.
The ministry also called on sales outlets and suppliers to follow consumer protection legislation. It also called on them to maintain commodity and food quality and safety.
The temporary price hike was based on a request submitted by several companies operating in the sector. They noted the losses they had incurred due to high production and shipping costs and an increase in prices of imported raw materials like fodder. This is according to the MoE.
