Food prices in Abu Dhabi up again in fourth week of Ramadan

Cost of vegetables up by almost 17 per cent compared with first week of June, according to the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI // Food prices rose again during the fourth week of Ramadan, official statistics released yesterday showed.

The Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi published its fourth weekly report on food-price inflation during the holy month.

Vegetable prices were up by 16.7 per cent, fruits up 14.4 per cent and fish and seafood up 8.4 per cent compared with the first week of June.

Fruits in Al Ain were again responsible for the largest rise, with a 25 per cent increase compared with Abu Dhabi, 12.2 per cent, and Al Gharbia, 9.9 per cent.

Al Gharbia equalled Al Ain's vegetables increase, with both posting an 18.7 per cent rise, more than Abu Dhabi city's 16.9 per cent rise.

When compared with the third week of Ramadan, food prices across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia in the final week rose by less than 1 per cent. Fish and seafood showed a 4.5 per cent rise, followed by 1.1 per cent for fruit and 1 per cent for vegetables.

Al Gharbia had the biggest increase in vegetables prices since last week, with a 2 per cent increase, while Al Ain followed closely with 1.5 per cent.

This week's fruit prices were biggest in Abu Dhabi, at 1.1 per cent, compared with less than 1 per cent in Al Ain.

To assess prices, the Statistics Centre uses an internationally recocognised method with an index basket containing 214 items.