UAE publishes prices of essential groceries across retailers

Residents of the United Arab Emirates can compare grocery prices for rice, eggs, milk, cooking oil and other essential goods through the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s Essential Goods Prices Platform, according to Gulf News.

The online dashboard lists prices by retailer and package size, allowing shoppers to compare costs using standard units such as kilograms, litres and individual eggs. The prices covered in this report were last updated on October 8, 2026.

Where can UAE residents compare grocery prices?

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s Essential Goods Prices Platform allows residents to compare listed prices across supermarkets and cooperatives.

Users can filter products by category, brand, unit, emirate, retailer and branch. They can also select items for a shopping list and compare the total cost across stores.

The figures in this report are calculated from the package prices and quantities displayed on the ministry’s platform, rather than estimates from supermarket websites or delivery apps.

What are the lowest grocery prices in the UAE this October?

The platform's displayed retailer listings show the following lowest calculated unit prices for selected everyday goods. Actual package prices vary by retailer, brand and quantity.

• White sliced bread: Dh4.92 per kg at Umm Al Quwain Coop
• Fresh whole chicken: Dh11.31 per kg at Emirates Coop
• Canola oil: Dh7.28 per litre at Emirates Coop
• Corn oil: Dh7.25 per litre at Carrefour
• Sunflower oil: Dh5.10 per litre at Emirates Coop
• Fresh whole milk: Dh3.75 per litre at Emirates Coop
• Powdered milk: Dh15.33 per kg at Sharjah Coop
• Yoghurt: Dh3.48 per kg at KM Trading
• Brown eggs: Dh0.49 per egg at Carrefour
• White eggs: Dh0.23 per egg at Choithrams
• Beans: Dh4.53 per kg at Al Maya
• Fava beans: Dh3.83 per kg at Emirates Coop
• White chickpeas: Dh3.99 per kg at Carrefour
• Green lentils: Dh4.38 per kg at Umm Al Quwain Coop and Union Coop
• Red lentils: Dh3.88 per kg at Al Maya
• Basmati rice: Dh4.38 per kg at LuLu
• White sugar: Dh2.35 per kg at LuLu
• Flour: Dh6 per kg at Spinneys, Nesto, Carrefour, LuLu and Emirates Coop

Unit prices are calculated from the listed package prices and quantities and rounded where necessary. The platform groups dry and canned varieties together for beans, fava beans, chickpeas and lentils, so shoppers should check the product type before buying.

How much do rice and sugar cost per kilogram in the UAE?

LuLu lists a 5kg pack of basmati rice for Dh21.90, equivalent to Dh4.38 per kilogram. A 5kg pack of white sugar costs Dh11.75, or Dh2.35 per kilogram.

Buying both packs would cost Dh33.65 in total. This covers only the two listed products, not a complete grocery basket.

Larger packages can offer lower unit prices but may not suit every household. Shoppers should consider their consumption and storage needs before choosing products solely on the basis of price per kilogram.

How much do eggs and chicken cost in the UAE?

Choithrams lists a pack of 15 white eggs for Dh3.45, equivalent to 23 fils per egg. Carrefour lists 30 brown eggs for Dh14.55, or about 49 fils each.

These prices relate to separate product listings. Shoppers should compare egg size, brand, package quantity and other specifications rather than relying on shell colour alone.

Emirates Coop lists fresh whole chicken at Dh12.44 for a 1.1kg package, equivalent to approximately Dh11.31 per kilogram. The amount paid at checkout is Dh12.44; the per-kilogram figure provides a standard measure for comparing products of different sizes.

What are the lowest listed prices for cooking oil and dairy products?

Emirates Coop lists sunflower oil at Dh25.50 for five litres, equivalent to Dh5.10 per litre. Its canola oil costs Dh26.20 for 3.6 litres, or about Dh7.28 per litre.

Carrefour lists corn oil at Dh21.75 for three litres, equivalent to Dh7.25 per litre. As these are different types of oil, households should compare products according to their cooking needs and preferences.

For dairy products, Emirates Coop lists one litre of fresh whole milk at Dh3.75, while KM Trading lists yoghurt at Dh34.75 for 10kg, equivalent to approximately Dh3.48 per kilogram.

The yoghurt example illustrates the importance of checking package sizes when comparing unit prices. The calculated rate does not necessarily mean shoppers can purchase a single kilogram for the same amount.

How do supply costs affect grocery prices in the UAE?

Dubai-based food commodities supplier Avisa General Trading said in a March market analysis that government price monitoring puts pressure on wholesalers to keep supply costs competitive while enabling retailers to maintain regulated prices.

The company identified diversified sourcing, forward purchasing contracts and consolidated shipments as strategies for managing import and logistics costs.

These observations provide context on the factors affecting grocery supply chains but do not establish the causes of any price changes in October.

How can households track their monthly grocery spending?

UAE advertising agency Arsh Marketing has described a shopping pattern in which smaller, more frequent grocery trips involve lower spending per visit.

The ministry's platform allows shoppers to select products and compare total bills across retailers. Users can filter listings by category, brand, unit, emirate, store and branch to build a comparison based on their regular purchases.

However, spending less on each visit does not necessarily mean spending less over a month. Households can track their overall costs by comparing the same products and quantities over the same period, keeping receipts and recording promotional discounts separately.