The Ministry of Economy refers a gang involved in monopolistic practices in the poultry market to the Federal Public Prosecution

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism referred a gang involved in monopolistic practices in the poultry market to the Federal Public Prosecution to initiate investigations and take the necessary legal measures, after it was proven that they were involved in exploiting the current exceptional circumstances, and agreeing to set, manipulate and raise poultry prices without any justification, which is considered a clear violation of the laws in force, especially the Competition Regulation Law and the Consumer Protection Law, and represents a practice harmful to the rights of consumers and market stability.

These efforts came within the framework of the ongoing monitoring campaigns implemented by the Ministry in cooperation with the competent authorities, which witnessed a noticeable intensification during the recent period coinciding with the current circumstances, and contributed to enhancing the efficiency of market supervision and ensuring that sales outlets adhere to the laws and regulations concerned in this regard.

The Ministry pointed out that the Competition Regulation Law plays an essential role in defining frameworks for confronting this type of monopolistic practices and illegal economic blocs that are harmful to the consumer, in a way that contributes to enhancing the protection of competition, supporting the growth of economic sectors, and increasing productivity. The law also gives the Ministry the right to seek information, investigate and investigate anti-competitive practices, whether based on a complaint or on the initiative of the Ministry itself, and to address them in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

Article No. 5 of the Competition Regulation Law stipulates that agreements between establishments are prohibited if their subject, purpose, or effect is to disturb, limit, prevent, or restrict competition in any way. This includes agreements that lead to setting the prices for buying or selling goods and services, whether directly or indirectly, by artificially increasing, decreasing, or fixing prices in a way that violates market mechanisms and negatively affects competition.

The ban also extends to determining the terms of sale, purchase, or performance of services, and collusion in bids, auctions, tenders, and other supply offers, in addition to agreeing to freeze or reduce production, development, distribution, marketing, or other economic activities. It also includes collusion to boycott specific establishments, whether by refusing to buy from them or sell to them or obstructing their activity, as well as limiting the free flow of goods and services in the market, including hiding or storing them without justification, refraining from trading in them, or creating artificial abundance that leads to offering them at unreal prices.

The Ministry explained that the seriousness of these monopolistic acts and practices is not only limited to their violation of the Competition Regulation Law and the Consumer Protection Law, but is also considered a serious violation related to exploiting the exceptional circumstances that the country is going through within the framework of the current regional circumstance, which may directly affect the economic and food security system, as it constitutes a serious violation of the principles of economic justice and undermines the state’s efforts to protect markets and ensure their stability.

The Ministry indicated that poultry is among 9 basic consumer commodities, including cooking oil, eggs, dairy, rice, sugar, legumes, bread, and wheat, the prices of which may not be increased except with prior approval from the Ministry, in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. (120) of 2022 regarding the rules and controls for pricing consumer goods.

The Ministry stressed that the UAE has a strong legislative and regulatory system to address any violations or monopolistic practices, implement the required control over the markets to ensure their stability and prosperity, and achieve a balanced relationship between merchants and consumers in the various markets of the country.
In this context, the Ministry indicated that protecting the rights of consumers and ensuring the stability of markets are at the top of its priorities, and that it will not tolerate any violations or unsound commercial practices that may affect the market or citizens and residents. It also stressed that any exploitation of exceptional circumstances will not be tolerated in any way, and that the state will continue to protect its economic and food security with all available legal means, in a way that guarantees the stability of the markets and protects the rights of consumers.

The Ministry works continuously to monitor and follow up on market movement and analyze the prices of basic commodities, enabling it to detect any attempts at monopoly or collusion, and to confront and deal with them in accordance with the legal regulations in force, including the imposition of administrative penalties and legal violations stipulated in this regard.
The Ministry also stressed its commitment to taking all necessary legal measures against violators, which include warnings and administrative fines, and referring violators to the Public Prosecution when necessary, in accordance with established legal procedures.

The Ministry noted that these measures come as part of its efforts to ensure the continuity of the supply of basic food commodities to the markets at fair prices to the public. The Ministry called on the public to contact the number 8001222 or on the communication channels with the competent local authorities to report any violation, to ensure that the necessary legal measures are taken quickly and effectively, and to protect the rights of consumers and the stability of the markets.
It is noteworthy that during the period from February 28 to April 19, 2026, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in cooperation with local economic departments, carried out about 15,480 inspection tours in various markets in the country, which resulted in monitoring 312 violations, the most prominent of which was raising prices without justification, as a result of which 1,005 warnings were issued to violators.