Dubai Consumer Mirror: Cooking Gas Prices in the UAE

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Cooking Gas Prices in the UAE

Read in Gulfnews the story on UAE residents refilling cooking gas in Oman: "Residents take big risk to save a few dirhams" .... Actually, they are saving a bit more than just “a few Dirhams”. Here is how much it costs in Other GCC countries:

Bahrain: BD 1.125 (Dhs 10)
Kuwait: KD 0.750 Fils (Dhs 9.5)
Oman: Om 2.5 (Dhs 24)
Qatar: QR 15 ( Dhs 15)
Saudi Arabia: ~~SR 20~~ SR 15 (Dhs 14.5)

Whereas in the UAE, cost of a medium size cylinder refill has been fluctuating between 80/- and 120/- Dirhams, but never below that range.

Now seriously GulfNews, can you blame them?

12 Comments:

Gas deliveries in Oman are done 100% by Omani Nationals – who of course expect a reasonable return as they have the cost of maintaining a family in Oman. So why are prices in Dubai 3 times the Oman price and who is earning such a return

By Oman, at August 16, 2009 at 3:18 AM
wow, i knew gas was expensive here, but not THAT expensive!

By Anonymous, at August 16, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Its a good thing I don't use gas! I'll stick with electricity then.

By Mita, at August 16, 2009 at 3:33 PM
@Mita - thats actually not a very good thing. Electric stoves and hot plates suck electricity like crazy. Given DEWA's rates per Kilo watt, you are probably paying 10 times more than you would if using gas, and that is a modest estimate.

By Anonymous, at August 16, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Man, the price variation is hideous.

By Dubai Jazz, at August 16, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Oman - i'd like to know too
Mita - i am afraid anon is correct.. electric stoves use lots of electricity
DJ - its crazy, isn't it... prices at the rest of GCC are all within the same price range.. this does mean that gas refill price in the UAE is way over inflated.

By moryarti, at August 16, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Gas prices are subsidized in Oman. The gas bottlers are given quotas set by the Ministry of Oil and Gas at set prices to buy LPG either from PDO or Oman Refinery Co, at various rates begining around $100 per metric ton and incresing up to $200. Actual spot price of LPG varies from as low as $800 and as a high as $1200, with the current price being around $1000. In the UAE the government does not subsidize LPG, hence an explanation why we pay 2.5 rials for a cylinder and you guys pay a minimum of 85 dirhams (9 rials).

However, it looks like an another problem in the UAE is that the bottlers cheat and dont supply full gas cylinders.

By muscati, at August 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM
holy smokes! so it's a 'good' thing..I can't cook for squat! :)

By rosh, at August 18, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I'd probably use the microwave and an Electric stove more often then. I hate those gas cylinders. I hate having to change them too. In Egypt we have had natural gas for ages. Unfortunately I live in Kuwait now so I have to deal with them. But I am curious why are they so expensive.

By jessyz, at September 17, 2009 at 11:02 AM
jesszy - Electricity in Dubai is very expensive. A reguler 2br appartment can pay, on avarage, 750 Dirhams per month. Any villa, and that number would jump to Dhs 2500 per month (Almost KD 220)

In Kuwait, I recall payin about 7 to 10 per month ..

By moryarti, at September 17, 2009 at 11:27 AM
*jessyz .. sorry for the typo :)

By moryarti, at September 17, 2009 at 11:28 AM
What is strange for a wealthy economy like UAE depending on foriegn workers & the private sector. It is rarely that u see initiatives or support to this sector. Steel, diesel, groceries, etc... where not supported, they where left to eat on the private sector. It is really a shame to see other gulf countries to support and limit the inflating factors of such commodoties, meanwhile, UAE ignored it.

By Anonymous, at September 18, 2009 at 2:02 AM