UAE tightens Ramadan price controls with fines up to Dh100,000
Retailers in the UAE face penalties of up to Dh100,000 if they breach Ramadan price controls on essential goods. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET) confirmed a scale of actions, from written warnings and short deadlines to fix breaches, to fines starting at Dh500 and rising to Dh100,000. In severe or repeated cases, temporary closure may follow. The update came at a media briefing on Wednesday, February 11.
What the minister said—and how some tried to bypass rules
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said some sellers attempted to lift prices by passing false information between suppliers and outlets. He warned that enforcement will intensify through Ramadan to keep prices stable unless prior approval is granted. The ministry stressed that any increase without approval violates the policy.
UAE Ramadan price policy explained
The pricing policy took effect in January 2025. It blocks unjustified hikes on nine essential categories: eggs, poultry, cooking oils, sugar, dairy, legumes, bread, wheat, and rice. Retailers may apply for increases, but only with ministry approval. A six-month cooling-off period applies between approved requests to prevent serial hikes. A “price ceiling” is the maximum allowed price for a good under the policy.
Complaints, violations, and inspections in 2025
The ministry logged 3,167 complaints and 7,702 violations linked to price hikes last year. Officials said 93.9% of complaints were resolved in about four days on average. Inspectors carried out 155,218 tours with municipalities to check price labels, product quality, and any fraud or trademark breaches.
Real-time monitoring now covers 627 outlets
MoET’s digital system tracks prices at 627 major retail outlets—over 90% of domestic trade volume in essential goods. The platform ingests price lists, compares them to references, and flags anomalies for action. A “digital price monitoring system” is a government platform that collects and analyses live price data from retailers.
Why this matters for shoppers and retailers
The controls aim to shield household budgets during a high-demand month while keeping fair competition in place. For retailers, clear rules reduce disputes and set predictable review windows for justified cost pass-throughs. The framework also aligns with broader consumer-protection efforts launched alongside the 2025 decrees.
What to do if you see a suspected hike
Consumers can file complaints via the ministry’s website or contact centres. Provide the product, outlet name, listed price, and any proof such as receipts or photos. Retailers should keep approvals on file, publish clear labels, and update systems when approvals lapse. MoET said inspections will continue throughout Ramadan.
The UAE entered Ramadan with firm oversight, clear penalties, and near-universal coverage through real-time monitoring. With 627 outlets linked and a six-month gap between approvals, authorities expect steadier prices across the nine essential categories.
