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UAE combats rising prices as regional conflict impacts tomato, onion costs
Residents reporting price fluctuations welcome the move by Ministry of Economy to send specialised inspection teams on daily field visits to monitor prices
- PUBLISHED: Wed 11 Mar 2026, 5:00 AM UPDATED: Wed 11 Mar 2026, 8:11 AM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
UAE shoppers have welcomed the move by the Ministry of Economy to intensify monitoring efforts to control prices in the market. According to the ministry, the prices of some commodities like tomatoes and onions have seen a temporary increase over the past two days due to the effects of the ongoing regional crisis.
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Rishaad Ahmed, a resident of Al Quoz, said he was concerned to find tomato prices had reached Dh10 per kg at his neighbourhood supermarket.
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“It was just Dh5 last week, and onion prices also increased to Dh7, compared with Dh4 the previous week. When I read the news that the minister acknowledged the price increase, I was very relieved. I’m also glad to note that additional quantities have been supplied. This will surely bring the prices down.”
Specialised inspection teams are now conducting daily field visits in coordination with economic development departments across the UAE through a joint national monitoring team aimed at preventing unjustified price increases.
Nine key commodities fall under regulated pricing policies: cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat. Prices of these goods cannot be increased without prior approval from the ministry.
Dubai resident Abdulla E. said that since the beginning of the unrest, he has been to the Al Aweer market and noticed that prices have fluctuated slightly. “Some fruits and vegetables had seen a steep increase in the first few days of the regional tensions,” he said. “However, since the ministry began its inspections, the prices have regularised. I am grateful that the monitoring is in place.”
He added that one commodity which he felt had no price increases was eggs. “In the last ten days, I have been to the Waterfront market twice and I have not seen the prices change at all. I think it is mostly because the eggs are sourced from local farms. It highlights the UAE’s commendable efforts at increasing local production.”
Focus on supply
Officials stressed that essential goods continue to be available in sufficient quantities across the UAE, with multiple alternatives accessible to consumers, adding that there is no cause for concern.
Local companies are ensuring that there is a steady supply of fresh produce at the markets. NRTC Group, part of Ghitha Holding, has activated a quick and comprehensive operational response centred on diversified sourcing, logistics planning and rapid procurement since the start of the unrest.
“Consumers should continue to find fruits and vegetables on shelves just as they would on any normal day, from berries to beans, plums to potatoes, and cherries to chillies,” said Group CEO Mohammed Al Rifai. “Our teams have worked proactively to secure supply from both regular and alternative sources to ensure stability and availability.”
The company transported approximately 3,000 tonnes of produce from Jordan, Turkey, Syria and Egypt through land corridors in the past week. In addition to this, the company also brought in produce to the tune of 200 tonnes through air freight and an additional 1,200 tonnes via the ports of Khor Fakkan and Fujairah.
Earlier, several other retailers, including Lulu Group, said they were arranging special cargo operations from India and other key global markets to ensure a steady flow of food products into the country.
