The markets are witnessing a change in consumption patterns and a remarkable abundance of goods

The Emirates Consumer Protection Association confirmed that it has observed a remarkable diversity in food commodities, vegetables and fruits, supported by the expansion of supply companies in diversifying imports from different countries.

She explained to Emirates Today, during a field tour she carried out at the Union Coop headquarters in the Al Warqa area in Dubai, that the diversity of goods and types of vegetables and fruits supported price stability in the markets, and provided more alternatives and options for consumers, stressing that the efforts of suppliers in pumping large quantities of goods strengthened consumer confidence, at a time when Union Coop revealed a change in the consumption pattern of shoppers, represented by buying only home needs and not storing.

Jassim Al Ali, a member of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Consumer Protection Association, said: “The Association observed in the markets a remarkable increase in the diversity of the supply of food commodities, and types of vegetables and fruits, which in turn contributed to supporting the stability of commodity prices in the markets in general, despite the price increases witnessed in many world markets during recent periods, affected by political tensions in the region.”

He added to “Emirates Today”: “The expansion of supply companies in importing from different countries of origin has increased the volume of supply and increased the options and alternatives for goods before consumers, whether in terms of types or prices.”

Al-Ali stressed that “the efforts of the state and the authorities concerned with consumer protection and market monitoring contributed to spreading consumer awareness, which, along with increasing the diversity and abundance of products, contributed to promoting rational shopping among consumers, and not buying goods in excess of what is needed, in light of the high consumer confidence and the large abundance of supply and options in the markets.”

For his part, the CEO of Union Coop, Mohammed Al Hashemi, said: “During the recent period, the markets have witnessed a remarkable diversity in the types of vegetables and fruits on offer, supported by an increase in imports from different countries,” pointing out that “the cooperative’s sales outlets, for example, currently offer, for example, six different types of onions at various prices and options.”

He stressed that “increasing diversity contributed to a great abundance of commodity supply and supported the stability of commodity prices in the food products sector, especially vegetables and fruits, in addition to the supply of local farm production.”

He revealed that Union Cooperative has increased the volume of its contracts with local farms to increase the volume of supply in larger quantities, and is in discussions about supply contracts with about 300 local farms, and to provide products that were not familiar in the markets from local farms, to include varieties such as wild blueberries and bananas, which are varieties that are uncommon to be grown in the UAE.

He continued: “The consumption pattern has also changed in not storing goods, but rather purchasing household needs, especially in light of distance learning, which has increased some patterns of purchasing food commodities, in light of preparing meals at greater rates inside homes.”

In the same context, a consultant and expert in consumer protection affairs, Omaima Al-Mahdi, pointed out that the diversity of food commodities and types of vegetables has increased remarkably in the markets recently, and at rates that may exceed previous stages in many types, as a result of the expansion of suppliers in diversifying import sources from different countries and in large quantities.

She stressed that the great diversity of commodities and the increased abundance of products contributed to the stability of food commodity prices in general in the local markets, despite the price increases that occurred in many world markets, pointing to the announcement by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) of global increases in commodity prices during last March, at rates amounting to 2.4% compared to February 2026.

Mohammed Al Hashemi:

. Union Cooperative is holding discussions with about 300 local farms, and provides products that were not familiar from local farms, such as wild blueberries and local bananas.