To meet the increasing demand ahead of Ramadan, imports have risen by 35% as retailers begin early stockpiling. Trade flow data from DP World shows that retailers in the region are proactively planning to ensure food supplies before the holy month, with larger volumes of essential foodstuffs flowing through Jebel Ali. Compared to trade flows in an average month, an analysis of trade volumes between 2023 and 2025 shows a 25% increase in rice imports, a 35% increase in onions and garlic, and a 15% increase in nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pistachios, as well as a 5% increase in beverages like juices and sodas. The month of Ramadan witnesses a demand cycle.
