Most restaurants have increased the prices of meals by 25 percent, especially for grilled meat. They were then forced to reduce prices due to complaints from customers. The reduction of prices is only to fool the customers, because they cut short the quantity of dishes. This reduction has not affected restaurant owners in any way, according to a report in Al-Madinah newspaper.

Fawzy Al-Halabi, an accountant at a restaurant for grilled meat dishes, said that an increase in prices of all types of meat, mutton and chicken has affected the prices of meat dishes.

“The price of Naimi sheep rose to SR900 from SR700 within a year. This forced some restaurants to reduce the quantity of meal portions,” he said.

“Before increasing prices, a single order consisting of four brochettes cost SR15. After increasing the prices of meat, prices of a single portion rose to SR20. This triggered a protest from customers and therefore we were forced to return to the old rate of SR15. But we reduced the number of brochettes from four to three."

Ahmad Al-Muallam, owner of a restaurant, attributed the increase in prices of meals and reduced portions to the rise in the prices of meat, mutton and chicken, as well as rates of rent and wages of workers.

“We resorted to reducing portions as a way to avoid protests from customers if we were to increase prices. When we increased order prices by SR5, some customers were hesitant to buy and others expressed their displeasure,” he said, adding that this prompted them to return to the earlier price structure and then reducing the portions of orders.

Abdullah Al-Sahli, member of the Committee for Hospitality and Restaurants at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged the Ministry of Commerce and the municipalities to intensify inspections and taking punitive action against those restaurants that cheat customers by increasing prices or reducing quantities.

Meanwhile, a municipal source said prices vary depending on the market conditions of supply and demand.

“We have notified the branch of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry about complaints regarding the reduction in the quantity of dishes served by some restaurants. However, the ministry informed us that there is no fixed prices for meals, especially that of meat, chicken and rice, and that their prices depend on demand and supply, as well as competition,” he said.