Leading supermarket chains report that supply chains remain stable, with Eid promotions proceeding as planned.
Dubai: As tensions linked to Iranian aggression continue to affect the region, UAE retailers are sending a clear message to residents: there is no need to panic. Supermarket chains across the country report that stock levels are healthy, supply chains are resilient, and customers can shop with confidence—both in-store and online.
Mohamed Al Hashemi, CEO of Union Coop, said the cooperative’s strategic stock levels are sufficient to meet consumer needs for extended periods, with more than two months of essential goods already secured. He added that operations and supply chains are running normally, in line with approved plans, ensuring continuous availability across all branches and digital platforms.
“Union Coop operates through an integrated system for inventory management and supply reinforcement, maintained via ongoing coordination with suppliers and supply chain partners. Purchasing activity in the market remains normal and reflects typical consumer behaviour,” Al Hashemi said.
He added that the cooperative continues to monitor market indicators and take proactive measures to ensure stable supplies, guided by the UAE leadership’s emphasis on food security as a national priority.
Flying in Fresh Produce
The picture is similarly stable at Al Maya Group, where Deputy CEO and Group Director Kamal Vachani said stocks are sufficient for two to three months. He has maintained direct contact with airline station managers in Kerala, Delhi, and Mumbai to ensure a continuous flow of food and vegetable supplies into the UAE.
With around 30 to 50% of flights currently operational, Vachani said suppliers are making full use of available cargo capacity, while any excess volumes are transported as overflow freight.
As air operations gradually return to normal and flight numbers increase, retailers’ reliance on chartering aircraft exclusively for perishable goods has eased.
“We have taken decisive measures to mitigate logistical pressures and market fluctuations. As a result, prices of essential commodities—including rice, edible oils, dairy products, and fresh produce—remain stable across our stores,” Vachani said.
Al Maya stores operate around the clock and provide home delivery directly, via the company’s app launched in January, and through platforms such as Instashop, Careem, and Talabat.
Mutton: No Shortage in Sight
Not a concern, according to retailers. Both Al Maya and Nesto report that fresh mutton and other meat supplies are arriving regularly and selling out quickly.
Kamal Vachani said demand for Indian mutton at Al Maya has been exceptional. “We received a total of 1,500 kilos of Indian mutton in different batches over the past few days, and it all sold out the same day it arrived. It shows how much people are craving Indian mutton,” he said.
At Nesto Hypermarkets, Group Business Head Shanfeel Vannarath said the chain chartered a dedicated cargo flight last Sunday carrying 26 tonnes of fresh meat, primarily beef and mutton from Pakistan. Shipments of Indian mutton and beef are expected to arrive later this week.
While air freight costs for perishables have increased, Nesto said it is absorbing those expenses rather than passing them on to customers.
“We are selling 25 essential products at prices lower than what we are paying for them,” Vannarath said, citing onions as an example, currently retailing at Dh4.15 per kilogram against a purchase cost of Dh6. “It’s a loss of almost Dh2 per kg, but we consider this a helping hand to our customers for their valuable support.”
Expanding the Sourcing Network
Retailers are not just maintaining supplies—they are actively broadening their sourcing.
Vachani recently met farmers in Al Ain and is working to bring locally grown cucumbers, sweet melons, and tomatoes into Al Maya stores. “The UAE can produce high-quality crops for about eight to nine months of the year, and the taste is much better thanks to fertile soil and high-tech farms,” he said, adding plans to create a dedicated UAE corner in stores to promote local produce and self-sufficiency.
At Adil Group of Supermarkets, Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Dhananjay Datar said the chain’s sourcing resilience comes from years of cultivating trade ties across multiple countries. “We maintain deep-rooted trade connections, which gives us multiple sourcing corridors even when one route is under pressure,” he said.
Absorbing the Pressure
Datar acknowledged that the drop in air cargo capacity—down by over 22% across the Middle East—has created logistical challenges. Al Adil has activated air freight for select essential and high-demand products to keep shelves stocked, absorbing the premium cost.
“The safety and food security of the communities we serve will always take precedence over cost considerations,” he added.
He noted that Al Adil’s branches are well-stocked with essentials including rice, flour, cooking oil, ghee, masalas, canned goods, lentils, and dry foods. The quick resumption of operations at Jebel Ali port is an encouraging sign for the wider supply chain.
Eid Offers on Track
Amid all the logistical challenges, retailers say their festive plans remain firmly in place.
At Nesto, Vannarath said the chain has already launched a half-price promotion ahead of Eid, with a separate offer planned for the holiday itself.
Union Coop confirmed that its Ramadan promotions are continuing, with a new campaign already underway. All retailers are preparing to announce their Eid offers, ensuring customers can enjoy the festive season without disruption.
