November 1, 2004

Prices of Dairy Products in UAE Rise 50 Fils

As of November 1, prices of dairy products, including fresh milk, suspended earlier, will increase by 50 fils.

UAE Dairy and Juices Association made the announcement.

The 15-day reprieve given to customers ends today with price of fresh milk rising 50 fils per litre. The reprieve was made after resistance from several Cooperative Societies and Consumer Cooperative Union (CCU).

All retail outlets including supermarkets, hypermarkets and Union Cooperative will have to abide by the price hike, according to an official of the UAE Dairy and Juices Association.

The previous decision to increase the prices of dairy products was criticized by the CCU in the interest of consumer welfare. This is due to the high consumption particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

Retail outlets like Carrefour and the Union Cooperatives had resisted the hike forcing the dairy producers to suspend supply of fresh milk for a couple of days. However, an agreement was signed later whereby all the associations, CCU and retail outlets agreed to implement the hike from November 1.