With Ramadan 2026 around the corner, UAE residents are being assured that essential grocery prices will remain protected, as authorities ban unauthorised price increases on nine staple food items and ramp up inspection campaigns across Dubai.

Grocery bills tend to rise during Ramadan as families prepare for Iftar and Suhoor, but officials say strict monitoring is already underway to prevent unfair price hikes and checkout discrepancies.

Which items cannot increase in price?

Retailers are not allowed to raise prices, without prior government approval, on these essential goods:

• Cooking oil
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Rice
• Sugar
• Poultry
• Legumes
• Bread
• Wheat

Any attempt to increase prices on these items without approval can lead to immediate enforcement action.

What Dubai inspectors are checking

Inspection teams are visiting supermarkets, cooperatives and grocery stores across the emirate to:

• Ensure shelf prices match what customers pay at checkout
• Verify that promotions are genuine and clearly explained
• Monitor stock levels to prevent artificial shortages
• Stop any unauthorised price increases

Authorities say inspectors often pick random items from shelves and scan them at the counter to confirm prices match exactly.

If there’s a difference, it’s treated as a violation.

What happens if retailers break the rules?

Penalties can range from warnings to fines between Dh500 and Dh100,000. In serious or repeated cases, stores could face temporary closure.

Officials have stressed that protecting consumers during Ramadan is a priority, especially as household spending increases during the Holy Month.

Can prices differ between stores?

Yes — price differences between retailers are legal under UAE market competition rules. However, charging more at checkout than the displayed shelf price is not allowed.

Authorities have also instructed retailers to clearly display terms for loyalty-based promotions to avoid confusion.

Monitoring stock levels

In addition to price checks, regulators are monitoring supply chains to ensure shelves remain stocked and to prevent panic buying or artificial shortages.

Officials say compliance rates across UAE retailers remain high.

As Ramadan approaches, residents are being reminded that protecting the spirit of fairness and transparency in the market is a shared responsibility, and that any pricing concerns can be reported to authorities.

Dubai drivers using Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street can now expect significantly shorter journeys, after the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) completed Al Rowaiyah Street, a new 3.5-km direct link between the two major highways.

For daily commuters, the biggest impact is time. Travel time to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road has been reduced from around 10 minutes to just four minutes, a 60 per cent drop, easing congestion during peak hours.

Faster access for Silicon Oasis, Academic City

The new corridor improves entry and exit points for several high-density residential and education zones, including Dubai Silicon Oasis, Nadd Hessa, Dubai International Academic City and Warsan 4.

For residents commuting to work across Dubai, the direct connection removes the need for longer internal detours, helping streamline morning and evening traffic flows.

Increased capacity and smoother traffic flow

RTA confirmed that traffic capacity along Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street has increased by up to 40 per cent following the upgrade.

As part of the project, the former KHDA roundabout has been converted into a signalised intersection, improving safety and reducing bottlenecks at a previously congested junction.

For commuters navigating daily traffic across Dubai, the new Al Rowaiyah Street link is designed to deliver one key outcome faster, safer and more direct journeys between two of the city’s busiest arterial roads.

Abu Dhabi has confirmed new Darb toll gate and Mawaqif paid parking timings for Ramadan 2026, with revised hours set to take effect once the holy month officially begins.

Transport operator Q Mobility announced the updates on Monday, February 17, ahead of Ramadan, which is expected to start on Thursday, February 19, subject to moon sighting confirmation.

Here’s everything motorists in Abu Dhabi need to know.

Darb toll timings

Darb toll charges will apply from Monday to Saturday in two daily periods:

• First shift: 8am to 10am
• Second shift: 2pm to 6pm

Toll gates will be free to use all day on Sundays.

Motorists should plan journeys carefully during peak toll periods to avoid unexpected charges.

Public parking timings

Paid public parking (Mawaqif) will also operate in two shifts from Monday to Saturday:

• First shift: 9am to 6pm
• Second shift: 9pm to 2am

There will be a free parking window between 6pm and 9pm daily.

As usual, parking will be free on Sundays.

The updated parking hours will come into effect once Ramadan is officially announced in the UAE.

Alongside toll and parking changes, working hours for public and private sector employees in Abu Dhabi will also be adjusted during Ramadan, as per UAE labour regulations.