An analysis by the Statistics Centre, Abu Dhabi (Scad) showed that during the third week of Ramadan, the food prices increased by 0.49% in Abu Dhabi, reversing the marginal fall during the second week of the month.

Scad said: "This was due to an increase in the prices of certain items in various sub-groups by the following percentages: meat by 40 per cent, seafood by 2.75 per cent, fruit by 1.98 per cent, pulses by 1.04 per cent, sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery by 0.06 per cent and coffee, tea and cocoa by 0.33 per cent."

However, the rates of bread and cereals decreased by 0.14%; milk, cheese and eggs decreased by 0.53%; and oils and fats by 2.15 per cent, as compared to the last week.

Scad added that the prices of mineral water, soft drinks and various types of fruit juices remained steady.

Mohammad Amerah, an Abu Dhabi-based economist told Gulf News explained, "The price rise in Abu Dhabi is nothing to be concerned about. Prices over one week don't establish a trend. We have to wait longer, maybe two or three weeks to see if there's an upward trend in prices."