Securing Ramadan essentials - Economy - Al-Ahram Weekly
The government's Ramadan exhibitions ensure the availability of foodstuffs throughout the month at discount prices
The government is ramping up efforts to secure strategic commodities and regulate market prices with the advent of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
The Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, in collaboration with the private sector and the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, has launched Ahlan Ramadan (Welcome Ramadan) exhibitions across the country to provide essential foodstuffs at reduced prices.
The exhibitions are being held in public squares, retail chains, hypermarkets, shopping malls, and ration food outlets.
Hisham Al-Degwi, head of the Foodstuffs Division at the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, said food security, particularly during Ramadan, 'is a collective responsibility shared by multiple entities, such as the Ministry of Supply, the private sector, the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, and various government bodies. The governorate of Giza will host five Ahlan Ramadan exhibitions, alongside one-day fairs.'
Nouran, a woman in her 30s, visited an Ahlan Ramadan outlet with her son and daughter. With a carefully planned budget, Nouran prioritised purchasing staple items, including rice, pasta, milk, cheese, and cooking oil. Though she had not intended to buy Ramadan's yameesh (dried fruits and nuts), her son's request for meshmeshiya (dried apricots) tugged at her heart. To satisfy his desire without exceeding her budget, she opted for a small quarter-kilo box priced at LE100.
For the third consecutive year, Nouran, a public sector employee, has excluded yameesh from her Ramadan shopping list. 'Prices have skyrocketed to an extent that makes it impossible to buy yameesh,' she said, noting that her budget no longer allows for such luxuries. Instead, she carefully selects a small quantity of whatever her children request, alongside essentials like dates and qamareddin (apricot juice) to break her fast.
Despite the financial strain, Nouran acknowledges the discounts at Ahlan Ramadan exhibitions. 'A bag of sugar that costs LE35 elsewhere is available here for LE30. There's also a brand of semolina-based pasta sold at an LE8 discount compared to market prices,' she added.
Throughout the past couple of years Egyptian family budgets have been strained by high inflation caused by the depreciation of the local currency and high global prices of commodities. Annual headline inflation peaked in September 2023 at 38 per cent but has since started easing down. Inflation figures out on Monday showed annual headline inflation decreased to 24.1 per cent in January 2025.
At another supply outlet, Um Mohamed, in her 60s, said she had saved LE1,000 to buy her newly married daughter Ramadan supplies. Working as a cleaner, Um Mohamed added she saved up the amount to purchase rice, pasta, dried dates, dates, a frozen chicken, and tea.
Um Mohamed said that prices remain high but was relieved at being able to buy her daughter's essential items. However, she laments the decline of the traditional Ramadan box which is available in supermarket chains and delivered by benefactors. 'It used to be full of goods. Now, it barely contains the basics: no dates, no qamareddin. Even a bag of rice has shrunk to 900 grams instead of a kilo, while a bottle of oil has been reduced to 650 millilitres instead of a full litre.'
Goods available at Ahlan Ramadan are offered at discounts reaching 30 per cent, raising scepticism among some consumers about their quality.
Mustafa, a father shopping alone for Ramadan provisions, deliberately left his children home, fearing they would request items he could not afford. Expecting the discounts to be superficial, Mustafa was surprised to find that the price reductions were genuine without compromising quality. 'If these discounts are possible now, why do we pay such high prices the rest of the year?' he asked.
'Traders at these exhibitions do not pay rent, and the goods come directly from food factories to the consumer, bypassing middlemen,' Al-Degwi explained to Al-Ahram Weekly. Moreover, 'pasta sold in regular stores is packed in cartons, each costing LE10, with the cost factored into the price of every bag. At the exhibitions, however, pasta is packaged in plastic bags, eliminating the cost of cartons and allowing for further discounts.'
The exhibitions often frustrate conventional retailers as the same products are sold at prices lower than what wholesalers themselves pay. 'Consumers then assume that traders are making exorbitant profits throughout the year,' he added.
In addition, 'the transport of goods is streamlined, reducing logistical costs, and the electricity powering the exhibition is provided free of charge. Additionally, Civil Defence ensures security, the Ministry of Electricity covers lighting expenses, and the Chambers of Commerce finance the setup of lamps in public squares. This collective effort allows merchants to offer goods without adding additional costs on consumers,' Al-Degwi stated.
Sherif Farouk, the minister of supply, had earlier convened a meeting with representatives of major commercial chains to bolster cooperation between the public and private sectors and ensure that essential goods remain accessible at fair prices throughout Ramadan.
Market monitoring will be intensified during the month to prevent speculative pricing or disruptions in supply, with the Supply Ministry set to ramp up inspection campaigns and implement well-structured distribution plans, Farouk said.
Commercial chains are hosting Ahlan Ramadan exhibitions to increase the availability of essential goods while integrating products from companies affiliated with the Holding Company for Food Industries into mainstream retail outlets, he added.
Representatives of commercial chains reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the state's food security efforts, pledging to supply competitively priced, high-quality products in line with government directives. Furthermore, a joint operations room was set up between the ministry and retail chains to monitor the steady flow of goods and address logistical challenges that may arise in the coming weeks.
This year, Ramadan is likely to start on 1 March, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Today
14-06-2025
- Egypt Today
Egypt reassures citizens: Strategic reserves of all basic commodities sufficient for 6 months
File- Food market- Photo courtesy of IFAD Facebook page CAIRO – 14 June 2025: Amid the ongoing regional developments and their potential impact on global markets, Egypt's Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade has confirmed that the country's supply situation remains fully stable, with an abundance of all essential commodities sufficient to meet citizens' needs for extended periods. Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, stated on Saturday that the ministry has implemented a series of proactive measures—coordinated with relevant authorities—to secure the local market's requirements for basic commodities. These efforts aim to ensure market stability and the continued availability of essential goods in adequate quantities and at reasonable prices. The Minister noted that Egypt's strategic reserves of all basic commodities currently exceed six months, reflecting the state's preparedness and ability to manage any potential disruptions stemming from regional or international developments without compromising commodity availability or market equilibrium. Iran launched a devastating missile attack on central Israel on early hours of Saturday in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes earlier that day targeting Tehran and Iranian nuclear facilities. The Israeli strikes reportedly killed hundreds, including military leaders and nuclear scientists. Dozens of Iranian missiles fell on Tel Aviv, causing widespread destruction to residential buildings and forcing hundreds to evacuate their homes. Three Israelis were killed and more than 170 others injured so far according to the Israeli MDA Ambulance amid continuing the military escalation between the both sides. Iranian TV reported that about 60 civilians, including 20 children, were killed in yesterday's Zionist attack on a 14-story residential complex in Tehran. Other more than 70 Iranian were killed on Friday. Also, Iranian media outlets reported that besides killing military leaders and nuclear scientists by the Israeli strikes on Friday, more military leaders in Iran were killed including General Gholam Reza Mharabi, deputy head of the intelligence department, and General Mehdi Rabbani, Deputy Chief of the Operations Department of the Iranian Armed Forces.
Mid East Info
09-06-2025
- Mid East Info
GC Coupons Simplifies Smart Shopping: Discover Big Savings on Calo and Airalo with Just a Click
As online shopping continues to grow in the UAE and beyond, consumers are increasingly turning to platforms that help them maximize value and minimize spending . The platform making a big impact is GC Coupons — a trusted and fast-growing coupon website offering exclusive promo codes and deals across fashion, food, travel, electronics, wellness, and more in the UAE, KSA, and beyond. Among its most popular categories are health-focused meal services like Calo and digital travel solutions like Airalo , both of which are helping users save significantly on essentials, from daily nutrition to international connectivity. With GC Coupons, saving money on leading services is no longer a time-consuming task — it's as simple as copy, click, and save. What is GC Coupons? GC Coupons is a user-friendly online platform that aggregates and verifies discount codes from hundreds of popular retailers and service providers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC region. The platform's mission is simple: to help users save more on every purchase by providing working, reliable, and exclusive coupons. The website features: ✅ Regularly updated, verified coupon codes ✅ Exclusive discount offers not found on other sites ✅ Easy-to-navigate brand pages ✅ Mobile-friendly interface for savings on the go ✅ Categories across fashion, tech, travel, food, beauty, and more Two standout brands featured on GC Coupons are Calo and Airalo , both of which address essential modern needs — healthy eating and affordable global connectivity . Save on Smart Nutrition with Calo Coupons Calo is revolutionizing meal planning in the UAE with its science-backed, personalized meal subscription service. Whether you're trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or maintain a balanced diet, Calo delivers fresh, nutritious meals straight to your doorstep — saving you time, energy, and decision fatigue in the UAE GC Coupons provides exclusive Calo discount codes that offer: 🥗 Flat AED discounts on new user subscriptions 🥗 Percentage-off deals for weekly or monthly plans 🥗 Special promo codes during Ramadan, New Year, or fitness campaigns These coupons make it easier and more affordable for busy professionals, fitness enthusiasts, or parents to stay on track with their health goals without spending extra. How to Use Calo Coupons: Visit the Calo Coupons page on GC Coupons Click 'Show Code' or 'Get Deal.' Copy the code and paste it at checkout on the Calo app or website Enjoy fresh meals and a lighter bill Stay Connected Globally with Airalo Coupons For frequent travelers, Airalo is a game-changer. As the world's leading eSIM store, Airalo lets users buy local or global data plans instantly , eliminating the need for expensive roaming charges or physical SIM cards. GC Coupons helps travelers save on Airalo by offering: 🌍 Instant discount codes on regional and global eSIMs 🌍 Percentage savings on first-time purchases or top-ups 🌍 Seasonal codes for holiday travel, summer vacations, and business trips With GC Coupons, users can stay connected across the world without worrying about unexpected mobile bills — whether it's in Europe, the US, Asia, or the Middle East. Users can use valid Airalo Coupons available on GC Coupons to save more at the leading eSIM store. Using Airalo Coupons is simple: Go to the Airalo brand page on GC Coupons Choose your offer and click to copy the code Apply it on the Airalo checkout page before completing your eSIM purchase Travel smarter with instant savings Why UAE Shoppers Trust GC Coupons No Sign-Ups Required: Get codes instantly without creating an account Clean, Fast Website: No clutter, no pop-ups — just pure savings Mobile Optimized: Easy to access while shopping on mobile apps or traveling Trusted by Thousands: Used by shoppers across the UAE, KSA, and wider GCC Customer-Centric: Real-time support and verified codes ensure a smooth user experience GC Coupons stands out from the crowd by making couponing feel effortless . No fake codes, no endless clicking, and no shady redirects. Just a single destination for deals that work — every time. You can also save big with myAster coupon code available exclusively on GC Coupons to get additional savings on medicines. Final Thoughts In today's fast-paced digital economy, being a smart shopper means taking advantage of the tools at your fingertips, and GC Coupons is the best coupons website . Whether you're investing in your health with Calo , staying connected globally with Airalo , or shopping from hundreds of other partner brands, the website gives you the power to save in seconds .
Egypt Independent
05-06-2025
- Egypt Independent
Egypt officially launches 5G, marking a leap towards digital transformation
Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, has officially announced the launch of 5G services from the Pyramids area. During the launch ceremony, the minister emphasized Egypt's commitment to adopting global technologies and keeping pace with the latest advancements, noting that it was among the first Arab nations to join the International Telecommunication Union. Talaat highlighted the pivotal role of the communications sector as a bridge for connection and a fundamental pillar for life, work, and development, asserting that technology has become a tangible reality across the globe. Mobile phone subscriptions have reached approximately 120 million, he said, with a 10 percent increase in users within a single year, a rate significantly exceeding the global average of just 2.5 percent. Talaat also noted ongoing cooperation with companies to complete service coverage across all roads and to finalize the 'Decent Life' projects related to technological services. He confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure telecommunications services will cover all parts of Egypt. The minister further noted the substantial growth in freelancing, with the number of Egyptian accounts on freelancing platforms reaching about half a million, a significant jump from just 50,000 previously. This underscores technology's impact in creating new employment opportunities. The CEO of Telecom Egypt, Mohamed Nasr, stated that the company's acquisition of the 5G license is part of investments exceeding LE35 billion this year, aimed at improving infrastructure. This investment will enable consumers to enjoy high-level digital services. These investments are designed to reduce response times, support smart cities, and provide unprecedented communication opportunities, he said. Nasr emphasized that 5G represents a revolution in telecommunications, supporting the build-out of a digital economy that strengthens Egypt's global standing. The CEO of Orange Egypt, Yasser Shaker, affirmed that the gathering of telecommunications companies to launch 5G technology from the Pyramids carries a deep symbolic meaning – signifying that Egypt's progress and development stretch from the era of the Pharaohs to the present day. The CEO of Vodafone Egypt, Mohamed Abdallah, stated that the launch of 5G technology, given Egypt's increasing digital awareness, marks a pivotal economic opportunity that will positively impact all sectors – from health to education. He assured Vodafone's commitment, as a strategic partner to the state, towards providing solutions that align with the needs of Egyptian society, supporting digital transformation, and offering advanced services that will contribute to improving community life. And the CEO of e& Egypt, Hazem Metwally, described the launch as a 'redefinition of technology uses and an opening of unprecedented horizons.' He noted that 5G will enable applications such as augmented reality, the Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence, reflecting a natural extension of the state's strategic vision.
