LuLu Group International and VIVA explain how fresh meat is sourced, transported by air, and inspected before Eid.
Dubai: Supermarkets across the UAE are increasing fresh meat imports ahead of Eid Al Adha, sourcing supplies from countries including Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Brazil to meet heightened seasonal demand.
Retailers such as LuLu Group International and VIVA Supermarket said they have planned procurement in advance, expanded sourcing options, and strengthened cold-chain logistics to ensure fresh meat reaches stores ahead of the Eid rush.
For shoppers, the key priorities are availability, freshness, and price stability, especially during a period when demand for lamb, mutton, beef, and value-added meat products typically increases.
LuLu Group International said it begins Eid Al Adha preparations well in advance, sourcing meat from a diversified international network that includes Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and other key origins, with shipments supported through chartered flights.
LuLu Group International said its sourcing offices across more than 25 countries enable direct procurement from certified farms and approved slaughterhouses that comply with halal and international food safety standards.
The retailer added that it uses special chartered flights to ensure speed and freshness, with incoming shipments processed through an advanced cold-chain system and distributed to stores while maintaining strict temperature and hygiene controls.
According to a LuLu spokesperson, the company follows a planned, demand-led supply model, timing consignments closer to peak demand periods to preserve freshness and availability. While import volumes were not disclosed, the company said its global sourcing network helps ensure stable supply across categories and supports price stability during the festive season without significant increases.
VIVA Supermarket said it sources fresh meat from local and international suppliers across India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, and Brazil, depending on availability and customer preference.
The discount grocery chain added that procurement is planned three to four months in advance, based on sales forecasts, seasonality, and store requirements. It also uses smaller, frequent import batches with short lead times of a few days to maintain freshness, reduce wastage, and respond quickly to changes in demand.
VIVA Supermarket said that, given the seasonal surge in demand during Eid and ongoing supply chain uncertainties, it plans procurement well in advance while maintaining multiple sourcing options to ensure consistent availability, competitive pricing, and uncompromised quality for customers.
The retailer added it is targeting around 30% year-on-year growth during this year’s Eid period, supported by strong demand momentum.
Cold-chain checks before meat reaches stores
Both retailers said food safety checks are conducted across the supply chain, from supplier selection to final store delivery.
LuLu Group International noted that its wholesale arm, Al Tayeb, plays a key role in meat, poultry, seafood, and FMCG imports. Al Tayeb operates 20 distribution centres across the GCC and Egypt, managing more than 7,000 SKUs through processing facilities, storage infrastructure, and fleet management systems.
LuLu Group International said all its operations comply with government regulations and international standards, including ISO and HACCP certifications. Products are handled under controlled temperature conditions throughout processing, storage, transportation, and retail display.
VIVA Supermarket added that every shipment undergoes quality checks upon arrival in the UAE, including temperature verification, hygiene inspections, and product grading before being distributed to stores.
VIVA Supermarket said food safety is embedded throughout its fresh meat supply chain, sourcing only from certified suppliers and conducting strict temperature checks, hygiene inspections, and freshness assessments at every stage—from origin to in-store delivery—to ensure only safe, high-quality products reach customers.
Rising demand for ready-to-cook products
Retailers are also preparing for stronger demand beyond traditional fresh meat cuts.
LuLu Group International said Eid Al Adha demand is expected to remain strong, supported by traditional consumption patterns and growing customer preference for convenience.
The retailer also noted increasing demand for value-added and ready-to-cook products such as marinated meats, burger patties, and sausages, reflecting shifting household habits toward convenience-led shopping.
VIVA Supermarket also expects a stronger Eid sales period, stating that its sourcing model is designed to ensure consistent availability while maintaining competitive pricing.
Supermarkets are avoiding reliance on a single supply route or country of origin, instead diversifying procurement across multiple markets. Retailers are also using cold-chain logistics and timing shipments closer to the Eid period to better manage quality, availability, and costs.
