The government’s annual initiative to control the price of essential household items during Ramadan came into force yesterday, with a record 400 items being sold for set discounted prices in shops across the country.

The price list, which is designed to protect consumers from price rises due to high demand, has almost quadrupled in size since it was introduced in 2009, when it listed just 114 commodities.

This year, the extensive list covers items such as rice, tea, sugar, oil, eggs, dates, soup, milk, butter and frozen chicken, as well as detergent, tissues and soap.

The regulations apply to all outlets, including small neighborhood convenience stores. More details of specific brands and prices can be found here, and the government has also issued a hotline number, 8005000, for queries about the contents of the list.

The discounts run from June 22nd until the end of July.

Additionally, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has set aside QR12mn for meat and sheep subsidies during the holy month. On production of an ID card, for example, Qatari nationals will be able to buy two sheep a season for a special price.  Syrian sheep will apparently cost QR950, and Jordanian sheep QR800 each.

Meanwhile, Widam – the Qatar Meat and Livestock Co. –  has also fixed the price of porters at abattoirs during Ramadan. Families will be charged a set rate of QR34 per porter, the Peninsula reports.

Truck restrictions

The government has also announced its annual restriction on the movement of trucks in the city during Ramadan.

The Traffic Department rules state that they won’t be allowed into Doha during peak hours, which is has set as 8am – 10am, 1pm – 3pm and 5.30pm – midnight.

Thoughts?