Tradeling; UAE’s F&B Consumption Surges throughout Ramadan

(MENAFN- Atteline) ● 54% of shoppers in the UAE and KSA use e-commerce sites for Ramadan purchase ideas
● Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) typically spike by 6% in the UAE and 11% in KSA
● 85% of business buyers say that the pandemic changed their food habits

Dubai, UAE - 12 April 2023: Tradeling, the largest business-to-business (B2B) marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has witnessed a significant spike in food and beverage (F&B) purchases by UAE business buyers in the lead-up to and during Ramadan. Tradeling’s platform, which is an easy and simple-to-use digital platform for wholesale buyers, traders, corporate business and retail has collated data for the most ordered goods and the most sold products during this time.

In 2022, F&B in the UAE was highly popular with Tradeling data reporting that over 1,100,000 beverages were ordered throughout the entirety of Ramadan; pantry inventory like vegetable oils, beverages such as soft drinks, and dairy and eggs items were among the most ordered product categories. In 2023, pantry items as well as beverages continue to be highly popular while demand for eggs and dairy has slipped thus far. For comparison sake, the most popular order last year was Mabrook Vegetable Oil while Jenan Paratha Maida currently occupies the top spot today.

Data shows that 54% of shoppers in the UAE and KSA use e-commerce sites to discover ideas for Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr purchases. Analysis of supermarkets in these countries has accordingly found that during the first week, and a week before the first week of Ramadan, the highest number of promotions and user engagement with them is recorded. As a result, sales for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) typically spike by 6% in the UAE and 11% in KSA.

As it relates to the highest-selling products, pantry items, dairy and eggs, and beverages were the quickest movers in 2022, alongside frozen foods such as meat and poultry. Mabrook Vegetable Oil ranked first in terms of sales with 12,670 units and approximately 215,390 litres sold. This year, pantry items and beverages are flying off shelves at an accelerated pace while dairy and eggs and frozen foods have seen their popularity slip until this point. Furthermore, Mumtaz Oil has become the most popular sale with 8,198 units and approximately 73,782 litres sold thus far.

Although the Holy Month is centred around spirituality and faith, it has also become one of the year's highest seasons in terms of spending in MENA; with driving factors including Iftar and Suhoor consumption habits, as well as the spirit of giving back. While people often cook for themselves and their households, generosity extends to include cooking and distributing meals country-wide.

The landscape of FMCG, similar to every industry, has changed as a result of COVID-19 with 85% of business buyers saying that the pandemic changed their food habits. Despite this, F&B continues to witness drastic spikes in popularity in the UAE, especially during Ramadan.

-ENDS-

About Tradeling:
Tradeling is the dominant business-to-business ecosystem in MENA, with its e-marketplace. Driven by the purpose that everything they do, they do because they believe the future of trade is digital. They believe that the future is also now. The way they shape the future is by building a digital ecosystem, beautifully designed and simple to use. They give their users what they never thought they needed.

Tradeling ensures a reliable and smooth trade process in addition to providing logistics and financing solutions. Connecting global suppliers with MENA-based demand, Tradeling leverages advanced technology to optimise the supply chain and creates economic value in addition to mitigating risks. Enabling buyers to find the right products and materials as well as engage with new suppliers and Middle Eastern buyers, Tradeling helps in negotiating prices and delivering end-to-end services for business-to-business trade engagement.

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