UAE's food prices continued to climb up in the first half of this year, according to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), a report said.

The rise started in 2006 and has continued till now and more food items such as oils and fats have come under the surge in the first half this year, the DCCI was quoted as saying in the Gulf News report.

Inflation in food items has jumped to new records and is estimated to touch an annual average of 11.7 per cent, with cereals and bread forecast to hit 11.3 per cent, meat to remain at 5.6 per cent, fish and seafood at 2.4 per cent, fruit at four per cent and imported foods such as milk, cheese, eggs and other produce in this group to touch seven per cent.

High food prices are in line with general inflation, opine economists.