Consumers are demanding the inclusion of meat in “goods installed prices”

Consumers demanded a “fair price” of meat, and to include them in the list of basic consumer goods, proven prices, whose prices are not allowed except with prior official approval from the Ministry of Economy.

They told «Emirates Today» that they noticed price rises with different rates in several varieties of meat during short periods, as well as a variation in their prices between different sales outlets, although they are from the country of origin and quality themselves.

For his part, a responsible economic source told «Emirates Today» that there is difficulty in including meat within the proven goods, and it is not allowed to increase except with official approval, because most of them are imported, pointing out that the prices of imported meat are affected by many external factors that cannot be controlled , Such as: the occurrence of epidemics, the rise in shipping prices and its fluctuations, as well as the availability of feed and water in the country of origin, and other factors, in a way that cannot be installed for meat prices for long periods.

Price changes

In detail, the consumer Hoda Ibrahim said that the prices of many varieties of meat are changing during short periods in major sales outlets, whether they are up or down, noting that the justifications for price changes are not clear to consumers.

She called for the inclusion of meat within the basic consumer goods that are not allowed to increase their prices except with prior approval, so that there is a fair price, as described, is adhered to and consumers know it without being surprised at different prices every period.

As for the consumer Ahmed Tawfiq, he confirmed that the prices of some varieties of meat are witnessing a continuous increase in some major and medium sales outlets without clear justifications.

He explained that the price of one of the types of New Zealand meat, for example, increased from 65 dirhams to 78 dirhams per kilogram, an increase of 20% in just a few days, while the price per kilogram for one of the Australian meat types increased from 50 dirhams to 66 dirhams, an increase of 32%, He also called for the inclusion of meat within the basic consumer goods whose prices are not allowed except with prior official approval, to reduce the random heights that he said continues.

Variety in prices

Consumer Farouk Ali said that he noticed a great variation in meat prices between one sales and another, although meat is from the same origin, and the same type that he used to buy.

He added that he bought one of the species of minced meat at about 32 dirhams per kilogram from one of the outlets, but after two days he found the same class and from the origin itself at a price of 41 dirhams in another outlet, explaining that the price difference reaches nine dirhams, with an increase exceeding 28%.

He also emphasized that he bought a class of Brazilian meat at a price of 35 dirhams from one of the outlets, to be surprised that the same class is present in another outlet at a price of 42 dirhams, an increase of 20%, calling for the inclusion of meat within the basic consumer goods whose prices are not allowed except with prior approval, so that it does not happen Consumers are a “victim of exploitation” in an important basic commodity like meat.

External factors

For his part, an official economic source told «Emirates Today» that there is difficulty in including meat within the proven goods, whose prices are only raised with prior official approval, especially since the imported meat is relied upon by a large percentage to meet the high local demand, pointing to The imported species are very many, and from a large number of countries, to meet the different needs and tastes of consumers.

He explained that the prices of imported meat are affected by many external factors that cannot be controlled, such as the occurrence of epidemics, high shipping prices and fluctuations, as well as the availability of feed and water in the country of origin, and other factors, in a way that cannot be fixed for long periods.

A sound position

In turn, the retail expert, head of the “Al -Bahr Consulting” company, Ibrahim Al -Bahr, said that the lack of inclusion of meat is among the list of installed goods whose prices are only increased with official approval, a completely sound position, given that the imported meat is dependent by approximately 90%, To meet the local demand, and therefore its prices cannot be controlled locally.

The sea indicated that the matter differs for poultry, because despite the import of part of it, the local and Gulf production of poultry, whether frozen or fresh is large and varied, and that poultry farms in the country are distinct and can increase production.

New policies

The Ministry of Economy has recently announced the application of new policies to pricing basic consumer goods, as of last January, which included nine basic commodities, namely: cooking oil, eggs, dairy, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat, as well as some associated sub -commodities, in addition to the prices of home detergents , So that their prices can only be increased with prior approval by the ministry, while the rest of the commodities and products in the state markets are subject to the rules of competition in supply and demand and market mechanisms.

The decision included provisions that prevent the increase except with prior approval, and monitoring the price movement in coordination between the Ministry and the economic development departments and the competent authorities, with a period of time period of no less than six months between any increase and another.

The ministry previously indicated that the new policy and its regulatory decisions ensure the stability of the market and the quality of the products, and aims to organize the supply and demand for the basic consumer goods in all the emirates of the state, and ensure that they are not suddenly affected by any exceptional circumstances or external economic changes, while strengthening government oversight in setting prices These goods, with the aim of protecting the consumer, and providing them at reasonable prices according to the competition system and reducing monopolistic practices.

Import diversification

Retail expert expected the head of the “Al -Bahr Consulting” company, Ibrahim Al -Bahr, the possibility of the coming period to witness an increase in meat prices, given the discovery of a catalyst in Germany, which affects meat imports globally, although Germany is not one of the main suppliers of meat To the state.

The sea demanded the diversification of import, and the tightening of commercial control, to prevent increases in meat prices as a result of the exploitation of some outlets in raising prices.

. Consumers noticed price rises in different proportions in several varieties of meat within short periods.