How Much Have Grocery Prices Gone Up?
Head of Supermarket Owners Syndicate Nabil Fahd said that price increases have affected certain goods, including vegetables, fruit, meat and some grains, which have risen by between 8% and 12%, while the prices of many other goods have increased by between 3% and 6%. He attributed the increases to the cumulative impact of fuel prices, from shipping to retail.
In an interview with “Sawt Kel Lebnen,” Fahd called for reducing taxes on gasoline as well as the 3% import tax, which he said has a significant impact on the prices of all goods. He noted that consumption of some products has declined, with consumers shifting toward lower-priced alternatives amid a decline in purchasing power.
Regarding price differences from one area to another or from one store to another, Fahd said these fall within legitimate competition. However, he stressed that prices must be clearly displayed so consumers can make informed choices, noting that the Consumer Protection Association conducts regular inspection campaigns to monitor prices.
