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Lower Ramadan food prices assured [Arab News (Saudi Arabia)](Arab News (Saudi Arabia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) JEDDAH: AFSHAN AZIZ Retailers here are promising lower food prices for Ramadan this year particularly for rice, oil, dairy products and flour. Several major supermarkets and hypermarkets launched promotional offers on June 19. Rahmatullah M. Ataullah, marketing manager of Danube supermarket, said the company has a social responsibility to meet the requirements of citizens and expatriates during the holy month of Ramadan. The prices on all promotional items would be 20 to 30 percent less, he said. He said there was increasing competition among major supermarkets, which has resulted in lower prices. The prices of dairy products and vegetables have also been reduced, he said. Ataullah said it was unlikely that prices would go up because there were enough supplies locally. "The promotional price of rice is SR72 for a 10-kg bag. We understand the importance of providing quality products and keeping our prices at a level that satisfies all consumers, especially during the month of Ramadan," he said. Elsewhere, a 10-kg bag of Indian basmati rice costs between SR67 and SR70 a bag because of the increased competition among retailers. Mohammed Ahmed, commercial manager of a leading supermarket, said: "We will provide all the products that are important for Ramadan celebrations. Several key ingredients, such as Mazola oil is now being sold at SR28 for two packs of 1.8 liters, and not the normal price of SR37. Products such as flour and lentils are 30 percent less," he said. The Ministry of Commerce is monitoring prices and sales promotions to ease the financial burden on consumers. Most retailers are offering promotions over five days. Few have said they would offer lower prices for the entire month. (c) 2014 Arab News All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |