The price of fruit and vegetables at the Mina Fruit and Vegetables Market in Abu Dhabi have been sliced by 25 per cent, so shoppers can enjoy fair prices during Ramadan, the Ministry of Economy has said.

The move came after ministry officials on Sunday inspected the market to ensure traders weren’t exploited shoppers by hiking prices to cash in on increased demand during the Holy Month.

Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of the ministry’s Consumer Protection Department said fruit and vegetable traders have been told to reduce the prices of some of the items, which were being sold at slightly higher rates before Ramadan started.

“Prices of fruits have now been reduced to between 25 and 30 per cent which is good for customers,” said Al Nuaimi.

“We have also instructed vendors to place stickers and labels also with prices and specification of displayed items to clarify rates with consumers before they make purchases.”

The official also recommended that price-marking devices be offered to all suppliers and platforms to clarify costs for consumers.

“Such inspection visits aim to ensure that traders don’t cheat people as demand for fruits increases during the month of Ramadan,” said Al Nuaimi.

He noted that traders were found complying with rules, stressing that the prices are stable with no detected boosts.

Indian trader, Salman Babu said they were not seeing as many customers wanting fruits as they anticipated.

“We had many customers in the first two days of Ramadan,” he said.

“But now, the demand for fruits has decreased despite the prices of the products being low.”

Babu said 1kg of Pakistani mangoes now costs Dhs10 down from Dhs12 last month, 1kg of Egyptian oranges is priced at Dhs5, down from Dhs7, 1kg of Philippines Bananas is Dhs6 down from Dhs7.50 and watermelon costs Dhs2.5 down from Dhs3.50.