The UAE has a strong food security system

Yesterday, the Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, conducted an inspection tour of the Lulu Hypermarket in Sharjah, on the third day of Eid Al Fitr. The tour comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to enhance the monitoring of price stability in the markets, and to ensure the availability of goods and food products in abundant quantities to meet the needs of consumers. At a time when Bin Touq stressed that the UAE has a strong and advanced food security system that does not rely only on local stock, but includes a wide network of economic relations with world markets.

The Ministry stated that the tour aims to review the readiness of stores to deal with the high demand during the Eid days, and to ensure the availability of fresh and diverse basic food products in sufficient quantities, which reflects the Ministry’s concern for the comfort of consumers and maintaining the stability of the markets.

The tour included following up on various sections, including fresh food, baked goods, meat and fish, in addition to dairy and other basic products, to ensure the diversity of the supply, its quality, and its continued availability to all consumers.

Food security system

The Minister of Economy and Tourism, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, confirmed that the UAE has a strong and advanced food security system, which does not depend only on local stocks, but also includes a wide network of economic relations with world markets, which allows it to access multiple alternatives to food sources in the event of any supply path being disrupted.

He added: “The UAE has an advanced logistical infrastructure that includes global ports, multiple shipping lines and alternative shipping routes, an efficient air and land transportation network, and modern storage and handling centers, which makes it a regional center for food distribution in the region, and gives it the ability to deal with any disruptions in supply chains without any interruption in the markets, and to make basic goods available to consumers at all times, including peak seasons and holidays.”

Bin Touq pointed out that the major sales outlets in the country play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of products in the markets, as they form a direct link between supply chains and consumers. These centers also contribute to controlling prices and maintaining their stability by regulating the quantities supplied and meeting the increasing demand.

Offers and discounts

The tour showed the availability of various offers and discounts on the prices of consumer goods, such as rice, oils, eggs, dairy, and poultry, driven by the increase in supply and the diversity of choices for consumers, which reflects the keenness of sales outlets to meet the needs of families during the peak seasons and holidays, by providing basic products with high quality and competitive prices that support purchasing power, while the purchasing activity of consumers proceeds normally without signs of hoarding or unusual demand, in light of the abundance of supply and the stability of the markets.

5000 tons

For his part, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lulu International Group, Yusuf Ali Musalayam, said: “We work closely with our global supply offices and other manufacturers, to ensure the continued availability of food products without interruption, and to maintain price stability in all our stores in the UAE.”

He added: “So far, we have imported more than 5,000 tons of fruits, vegetables, meat, and other perishable and non-perishable food products from around the world, through 26 charter flights and cargo ships.”

He continued: “I extend my thanks to the leadership of this great country, with its wise vision, and to all government agencies for their proactive initiatives and support during these difficult times.”

Price control system

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism confirmed that, in light of the current circumstances, it is continuing, in cooperation with the economic development departments, its efforts to enhance market supervision, through specialized work teams, in addition to relying on the Ministry’s electronic price monitoring system, which contributes to monitoring prices directly and in real time.

This system covers 627 major sales outlets, including cooperative societies, hypermarkets and major stores, representing about 90% of the volume of internal trade of basic consumer goods in the country, thus enhancing price stability and protecting the interests of consumers.

The Ministry called on the public, in the event of observing any violation in the markets, shortage of goods, cases of monopoly or fraud, or any unsound commercial practices, including raising prices without justification, to contact it directly on the number 8001222 or e-mail info@moet.gov.ae, to report any violation, in a way that contributes to protecting the rights of consumers, stabilizing the markets, and following up on the performance of the sales outlets.

• Lulu Group imported more than 5,000 tons of fruits, vegetables, meat, and food products, through 26 charter flights and cargo ships.

• Consumer purchasing activity is proceeding normally without signs of hoarding in light of the abundance of supply and the stability of the markets.