Dubai: Prices of basic commodities were stable this week, either dropping slightly or staying the same, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Economy.
Click here to see prices of basic commodities
According to the data, five kilograms of basmati rice imported from India sold for Dh63 on July 23 at Carrefour stores in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
On August 11, the price of the same rice rose to Dh74.90 but dropped slightly this week to Dh69.50 at the same store in both emirates.
The price of lemons imported from South Africa dropped at LuLu supermarkets in both emirates while Carrefour slashed the prices of locally produced fish and salmon imported from Norway.
The cost of white flour also dropped slightly at LuLu supermarkets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from Dh5.95 to Dh5.50.The cost of sliced white bread dropped at Carrefour in Abu Dhabi and LuLu supermarkets in Dubai slashed the price of unshelled pistachio nuts.
The price of two kilograms of white sugar remained the same.
Red onions imported from India cost more both in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Dettol antibacterial soap was cheaper at Carrefour and LuLu supermarkets in Abu Dhabi. Carrefour shoppers in Dubai can expect to pay less for Clorex, Lux hand-wash and facial tissues.
A surge in the cost of basic commodities in recent months had caused shoppers to tighten their grocery budgets. However, retailers have slashed the cost of some key items by up to 30 per cent to assist shoppers during Ramadan.
One store offered customers the option of buying a 'Ramadan basket' worth Dh300. The basket includes Pakistani rice, flour, sugar, powdered milk and tomato paste.
By Natasha Marrian
Gulf News 2008
