Two officials attributed it to competition, differences in import costs, rents, and profit margins

Differences of up to 57 dirhams in the price of one major commodity between sales outlets

Two experts called for setting maximum price limits for spreads to prevent consumers from being exploited.

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The Commodity Price Bulletin, issued by the Ministry of Economy last November, revealed large differences of up to 57 dirhams in the selling price of major commodities between one outlet and another in the country.

Two officials in sales outlets said that the existence of price differences between the outlets is a natural issue, due to differences between them related to the cost of import, including the cost of transportation, and the cost of the outlet itself, especially with regard to prices for services, such as rents, water and electricity, as well as the profit margin. The target.

Two experts in retail affairs considered that the large differences in the prices of a single commodity, from one outlet to another, are an exploitation of the conditions of the "Covid-19" pandemic to sell at great prices, and to achieve high profits at the expense of consumers, calling for tightening control by the concerned authorities and setting maximum price limits for the differences or The increase rates, so that if they are increased, they are unjustified, and require penalties, most notably financial fines and closure for various periods.

Goods' prices

In detail, the commodity price bulletin - issued by the Ministry of Economy and includes the selling prices of a number of main commodities in 24 outlets, societies and supermarkets in the various emirates of the country - clarified that the commodity "whole hamour fish" is sold in different outlets at different prices, and the difference is between the highest and the lowest price for these The commodity reached 57 dirhams, as the highest price for it in one of the outlets reached 79.95 dirhams per kilogram, while the lowest price for it in another outlet was 22.95 dirhams per kilogram.

Manafeth also sells this commodity at clear price differences, as it is sold at Mawhafat at prices of 52.90 dirhams per kilogram, 22.95 dirhams per kilogram, 69 dirhams per kilogram, 74 dirhams per kilogram, 33.90 dirhams per kilogram, 24.99 dirhams, 55 dirhams and 34.95 dirhams Dhs, 79.95 dirhams, 64.90 dirhams, 52.90 dirhams and 69 dirhams.

Big differences

The bulletin showed great differences in the selling prices of Australian beef between the outlets in question, amounting to 24.9 dirhams per kilogram, with the highest selling price per kilogram of Australian meat reaching 47.90 dirhams, while the lowest price was 22.99 dirhams at another outlet, as it is sold at different prices in outlets. It is 46.90 dirhams, 43.95 dirhams, 40.90 dirhams, 38 dirhams, 39.90 dirhams, 41.90 dirhams, 40 dirhams, 22.99 dirhams, 27.12 dirhams, 39.90 dirhams and 47.90 dirhams, And 43.95 dirhams, and 47.90 dirhams.

According to the bulletin, there are differences of 48.96 dirhams in the selling price of five kilogram basmati rice from one of the famous brands, and its origin is India, where the highest selling price reaches 73.95 dirhams at one outlet, while the lowest price is 24.99 dirhams at another outlet.

Chicken prices

There are also differences in the selling prices of chicken breasts of Brazilian origin, amounting to 13.8 dirhams per kilogram, where the highest selling price among the outlets covered by the comparison reached 24.75 dirhams per kilogram in one outlet, while the lowest price was 10.95 dirhams per kilogram in another outlet, and the kilogram was sold at prices. Various in outlets such as 18.50 dirhams, 20.50 dirhams, 18.85 dirhams, 18.40 dirhams, 19 dirhams, 11.99 dirhams, 10.95 dirhams, 17.60 dirhams, 18.40 dirhams and 19.95 dirhams .

There is also a difference of 15.4 dirhams in the selling price of one type of margarine (ghee) of Malaysian origin, as it is sold at 45.50 dirhams in outlets, while the lowest price is 30.06 dirhams, and it is also sold at different prices, most notably 38.35 dirhams, 39.60 dirhams, and 41 dirhams, And 37 dirhams, and 39.25 dirhams.

The difference in the selling price of one of the pasta items, of Emirati origin, weighed 400 grams, 1.7 dirhams, where the highest price was 4.50 dirhams and the lowest price was 2.83 dirhams, as they were sold in different outlets at different prices, namely: 3.90 dirhams, 4.25 dirhams, and four Dirhams, 3.75 dirhams, 4.15 dirhams, 3.6 dirhams, and 3.55 dirhams.

The bulletin showed that thermal aluminum foil, imported from England, 37.5 feet, is sold at a price difference between the outlets of up to three dirhams, with the highest price reaching nine dirhams, while the lowest price reaches six dirhams, and it is sold at 7.25 dirhams and 8.95 dirhams, And 8.75 dirhams, 6.60 dirhams, six dirhams, 8.20 dirhams, and 8.75 dirhams.

The cost of import

For his part, an official in one of the outlets, which have branches in many of the emirates of the country, Abu Bakr Hafeez, said, “The existence of price differences between the outlets is a natural issue and is due to the existence of differences between them regarding the cost of import, including the cost of transportation and the cost of the port itself, Especially with regard to the prices of services, such as rents, water, electricity, and many other factors ».

The official at another outlet in the state, Othman Ismail, considered that “the existence of differences in commodity prices between the different outlets supports competition and gives the consumer the freedom to choose what suits him,” indicating that several factors control the price, among them the costs that the outlet bears, and the percentage of Target profit margin decided by management.

One commodity

On the other hand, Ibrahim Al-Bahr, an expert on retail affairs, considered that "the large differences in the prices of one commodity between one outlet and another are considered to be exploitation by some outlets for consumers and the repercussions of the (Covid-19) crisis, to sell at great prices and achieve high profits at the expense of consumers."

Al-Bahar said, "It is possible that there are price differences in some commodities such as fish, but the price differences do not exceed 10%," calling for tightening control by the concerned authorities and setting price limits for the differences, so that if they exceed these limits, the price increase is considered unjustified. What necessitates the imposition of penalties, most notably financial fines and closure for various periods, indicating that the large price differences appeared in the absence of effective oversight from the concerned authorities.

And expert of retail affairs, Davey Nagpal, considered that "the large price differences do not express competition, but rather the weakness of tight control, which is ultimately in the interest of some greedy merchants," calling for tightening supervision and immediate penalties to deter some outlets.

Post prices

Previously, the Ministry of Economy announced that prices are being published in various outlets in the context of transparency in dealing with consumers, allowing comparison between prices and choosing the most appropriate outlet to buy according to the price.

The ministry attributed the differences in selling prices of similar food commodities to the factors of competition between different outlets in the markets, which provides consumers with different alternatives and choices.

It indicated that it monitors price changes in the markets and imposes penalties in cases of price hikes that are not included in the differences in competition between outlets, without formal written approvals from the ministry, including fines and closures for varying periods.

Requests for setting maximum price limits for the price differentials to prevent the exploitation of dealers.

Two experts: the differences in commodity prices with the aim of achieving high profits at the expense of consumers.

Ibrahim Al-Bahr:

"The big differences in the prices of a single commodity are considered an exploitation of consumers and the repercussions of the (Covid-19) crisis."

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