The Ministry of Economy announces details of the new pricing policy for basic consumer goods

Dubai, December 24 / WAM / The Ministry of Economy announced the details of the new policy that it had previously launched regarding setting the prices of basic consumer goods, and it included three ministerial decisions aimed at regulating the new pricing policy and aiming to strengthen the consumer protection system, ensure market stability, and regulate the relationship between the concerned parties. In the country’s markets, these decisions begin to be implemented as of January 2, 2025.

His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, confirmed, during a media briefing held by the Ministry today at its headquarters in Dubai, that the UAE, based on the vision of its wise leadership, has paid great attention to developing economic policies and legislation to improve the consumer protection system in the country, guarantee their rights, and provide a safe and stable consumer environment. And vital markets in accordance with the best international practices followed in this regard, which contributes to improving the quality of life for citizens and residents, and in a way that enhances the growth of the national economy and supports its competitiveness. Regionally and globally in light of the “We are the Emirates 2031” vision.
He said that the new ministerial decisions come as a continuation of previous legislative efforts, the most prominent of which is Federal Decree Law No. 5 of 2023 amending the Consumer Protection Law and its executive regulations, and Cabinet Resolution No. 120 of 2022 regarding the rules and controls for pricing consumer goods, noting that the policy specified nine consumer goods. Basic commodities, including cooking oil, eggs, dairy, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread, and wheat. These commodities include some associated sub-commodities, in addition to prices. Household cleaners, so that their prices cannot be increased except with prior approval from the Ministry, while the rest of the goods and products in the country’s markets are subject to the rules of competition in supply and demand and market mechanisms.
The new policy and the decisions regulating it aim to regulate the supply and demand for basic consumer goods in all the emirates of the country, and to ensure that they are not suddenly affected by any exceptional circumstances or external economic variables, while strengthening government control in setting the prices of these goods with the aim of protecting the consumer and providing them at reasonable prices in accordance with the competition system. Reducing monopolistic practices and ensuring market stability and product quality.
It also seeks to achieve a balance between the provider, the retailer, and the digital merchant, to avoid negative impacts on the competitiveness of the local market, and to ensure that the entire community benefits, in addition to ensuring the transparency of commodity prices and accurate information about them within the framework of a competitive market.
The decisions specified the authorities concerned with implementing the policy, which are the Ministry of Economy, the competent local authorities, suppliers of basic consumer goods, retailers, the digital merchant, and consumers in the country.
His Excellency Al Saleh reviewed the details of the three ministerial decisions that constitute the regulatory framework for the new policy, the first of which is Ministerial Resolution No. 246 of 2024 regarding monitoring the prices of basic consumer goods, which aims to ensure the stability of basic commodity prices and protect them from any unjustified increases, through the formation of a “monitoring” team. “Prices of basic commodities” in coordination between the Ministry and the competent authorities, and the team carries out the tasks of monitoring and following up on the movement of consumer goods prices, studying requests for price increases, and studying complaints regarding violations of this decision.
The decision also includes provisions prohibiting the increase of prices except with prior approval from the Ministry of Economy, and monitoring price movement in coordination between the Ministry, the economic development departments and the competent authorities, while specifying a time period of no less than 6 months between any increase and another, in accordance with the established justifications and conditions. The decision also grants the right For consumers, suppliers and retailers to submit complaints about any violation, the decision granted the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection the authority to recommend the initiation of investigation procedures into actions violating the provisions of this decision, based on a request from the ministry or the competent authority.
Regarding the second decision, Al Saleh said that Ministerial Resolution No. 245 of 2024 regarding the unit price of some consumer goods regulates the display of unit prices for consumer goods, ensures the transparency of the prices of selling goods to the consumer, and provides accurate information to the consumer to help him rationalize consumption and make the best choice among alternatives. It ensures fair competition between goods based on the unit price, and not only on the total offer prices that are currently placed in the markets.
This decision requires retail stores, including physical or digital commercial establishments with an area of ​​more than 1,000 square metres, to display unit prices clearly and legibly using unified units of measurement for each commodity. The decision also gave the ministry and the competent authorities the right to monitor the commitment of retail stores and the digital merchant to the price. Unit, and also gave the consumer the right to file a complaint against the retail stores and the digital merchant if they violate the provisions of this decision.
His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, explained that the third ministerial decision, No. 247 of 2024 regarding the indicative code of conduct in the consumer goods sector, aims to regulate the contractual relationship between suppliers and retailers, and enhance integrity and transparency in the basic consumer goods sector, as the code represents A vital tool to ensure the success of the pricing policy for basic consumer goods within the framework of ethical principles and guidelines that must be followed by all suppliers, retailers and consumers, noting that it is not permissible to rely on a code Conduct in any disputes that may arise between a retailer and a supplier in the consumer goods sector.
In this context, the Ministry of Economy affirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the competent authorities to ensure the implementation of the new policy and the decisions supporting it, in a way that supports market stability, protects consumer rights, and achieves the vision of the wise leadership in building a sustainable national economy based on transparency and fair competition, and called on consumers to interact with the authorities. Supervision and reporting of any violating commercial practices, stressing the importance of conscious purchasing practices, and society’s contribution to promoting a sustainable consumer culture.
His Excellency Al Saleh explained that the new decisions aim to complete the system of procedures that ensure that the prices of basic commodities are not raised except with prior approval from the Ministry, indicating that the specified period between requests for price increases, amounting to 6 months, was based on market studies, taking into account the adequacy of Food stock for these commodities to cover demand during that period.
Regarding setting the unit price, he stated that this decision requires clarifying the cost of one kilogram or liter of products in various packages, which allows consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Regarding requests to raise prices during the recent period, Al Saleh revealed that the ministry has received a small number of requests since the start of the law’s implementation, and said that the requests are carefully studied based on clear criteria that include production costs, shipping, and international prices, noting that some requests that do not meet the requirements were rejected. You meet the conditions.
Al Saleh explained that local economic departments are the main partner in receiving consumer complaints and monitoring markets, stressing that the ministry maintains its role in following up on complaints that require interventions at the state level.
He stressed that coordination is continuing with local authorities to ensure the implementation of the new regulations, including the list of penalties and fines issued by the Council of Ministers.

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