Ministry of Economy and Tourism refers poultry cartel to Federal Public Prosecution

• UAE remains committed to safeguarding its economic and food security through all available legal means

• Ministry reiterates zero tolerance to any exploitation of the current circumstances

 The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has referred a group accused of monopolistic practices in the poultry market to the Federal Public Prosecution for investigation and legal action. The move follows confirmed evidence of the group’s involvement in exploiting current exceptional circumstances by colluding to fix and manipulate poultry prices and raise them without justification, in clear violation of applicable legislation, particularly the UAE’s Competition Law and Consumer Protection Law. Such practices harm consumer rights and undermine market stability.

These efforts are part of the Ministry’s ongoing market monitoring, carried out in cooperation with relevant authorities, which has been intensified in response to current circumstances to strengthen oversight and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Ministry stated that Competition Law plays a pivotal role in defining the legal framework for combating such monopolistic practices and illegal cartels that harm consumers. It supports the protection of fair competition, the growth of economic sectors, and increased productivity. The law also authorises the Ministry to gather evidence, investigate anti-competitive practices, and take action - either in response to complaints or on its own initiative - in coordination with relevant authorities.

Under Article 5 of the Competition Law, agreements between businesses are prohibited if their purpose or effect is to disrupt, restrict or prevent competition. This includes direct or indirect price-fixing arrangements that artificially raise, lower or stabilise prices contrary to normal market forces. The ban also extends to setting conditions for the sale or purchase of goods and services; collusion in bids, auctions, tenders and supply offers; and agreements to freeze or reduce production, development, distribution, marketing or other economic activity. Other banned practices include coordinated boycotts of specific businesses, refusal to buy from or sell to them, obstructing their operations, restricting the free flow of goods and services, hoarding products without justification, withholding goods from trade, or creating artificial shortages or surpluses that distort prices.

The Ministry explained that the seriousness of such acts and monopolistic practices extends beyond the violation of the Competition and Consumer Protection laws. Rather, they represent a grave violation involving the exploitation of the exceptional circumstances caused by recent developments in the region, which may directly affect the economic and food security ecosystem. They amount to a serious breach of the principles of economic fairness and undermine the UAE’s efforts to protect markets and ensure their stability.

The Ministry also highlighted that poultry is one of the nine essential consumer goods, along with cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, legumes, bread, and wheat. The prices of such goods must not be increased without prior approval from the Ministry, in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. 120 of 2022 on the Rules and Controls for Pricing Consumer Goods in the country.

The Ministry further underscored that the UAE boasts a strong legislative and regulatory framework to deal with any violations or monopolistic practices and implement the necessary market oversight needed to ensure market stability and prosperity, while maintaining a balanced relationship between traders and consumers across its markets.

In this context, the Ministry emphasised that the protection of consumer rights and the stability of markets remain among its top priorities. It affirmed zero tolerance for any violations or unsound commercial practices affecting the market or consumers. Any exploitation of current circumstances will not be tolerated under any conditions, and the UAE will continue to safeguard its economic and food security through all available legal means, it said.

The Ministry continuously monitors and tracks market activity, and analyses the prices of essential goods, detecting any attempts at monopoly or collusion and addressing them in line with the applicable legal regulations, including the imposition of administrative penalties and the initiation of legal action.

The Ministry also reiterated its commitment to taking all necessary legal measures against violators, including warnings, administrative fines, and the referral of offenders to the Public Prosecution -when necessary- in line with the applicable legal procedures.

The Ministry noted that these measures form part of its efforts to ensure the continued supply of essential food commodities to markets at fair prices. It also urged the public to report any violations, including shortages, monopolistic practices, fraud, or unjustified price increases, via 8001222 or through the communication channels of the competent local authorities. This enables swift legal action to protect consumer rights and maintain market stability.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in cooperation with the local departments of economic development, carried out approximately 15,480 inspection tours across various markets in the UAE from 28 February to 19 April 2026. This has resulted in the detection of 312 violations, including unjustified price increases. A total of 1,005 warnings were issued to violators.