Residents of the United Arab Emirates seeking to manage their grocery expenses can now consult the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s Essential Goods Prices Platform, an online dashboard offering comparative prices for staple food items. Updated as of October 27, 2026, the platform lists prices from various retailers alongside pack sizes, enabling consumers to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of their purchases for the upcoming month.
Among rice options, Nesto’s 5-kilogram basmati pack is priced at Dh20.99, translating to roughly Dh4.20 per kilogram, making it the most affordable option listed. Lulu offers a 5-kilogram pack of white sugar for Dh11.75, or Dh2.35 per kilogram. However, these staple items are sold across different outlets, requiring shoppers to visit multiple stores to obtain the best deals.
Egg prices vary significantly by retailer and variety. Choithrams lists a pack of 15 white eggs for Dh3.45, which is about 23 fils per egg, while Sharjah Coop’s 30-pack of brown eggs comes to Dh13.10, or approximately 44 fils each. Fresh whole chicken at Emirates Coop is priced at Dh12.44 for 1.1 kilograms, equating to roughly Dh11.31 per kilogram. Bread costs also vary; Sharjah Coop offers a 490-gram pack of white sliced bread for Dh3 (around Dh6.12 per kilogram), while Carrefour’s 600-gram pack is priced at Dh3.70, about Dh7.19 per kilogram.
Cooking oil prices differ based on the type and brand. Emirates Coop’s sunflower oil costs Dh25.50 for five liters, approximately Dh5.10 per liter, whereas its canola oil sells for Dh26.20 per 3.6 liters, or Dh7.28 per liter. Carrefour’s corn oil, described as Sunny blended oil, is priced at Dh27.15 for three liters, or Dh7.25 per liter. The distinction between oil types makes product labeling a key factor for buyers seeking specific varieties.
Dairy products show a range of pricing with Emirates Coop listing fresh whole milk at Dh3.75 per liter and Sharjah Coop’s powdered milk at Dh6.13 for 400 grams, equivalent to approximately Dh15.33 per kilogram. KM Trading offers yoghurt at Dh34.75 for a 10-kilogram pack, making unit pricing about Dh3.48 per kilogram.
In the pulses and beans category, Al Maya offers beans at Dh3.99 for 880 grams, around Dh4.53 per kilogram, while Emirates Coop’s fava beans are priced at Dh1.53 for 400 grams, or roughly Dh3.83 per kilogram. Carrefour’s white chickpeas are priced near Dh3.99 per kilogram. Green lentils available at Umm Al Quwain Coop and Union Coop command about Dh4.38 per kilogram, based on 800-gram packs costing Dh3.50. Nesto’s red lentils cost Dh5.99 for 1.5 kilograms, approximately Dh3.99 per kilogram. The platform includes both dry and canned goods in these categories, so consumers are advised to verify product types before making substitutions.
Industry observers note that government monitoring requires wholesalers to maintain prices that enable retail outlets to comply with mandated limits. Avisea General Trading, a Dubai-based food commodities supplier, highlights that importers face pressures to optimize sourcing and logistics to balance costs. Strategies such as diversified suppliers, forward purchasing contracts, and consolidated shipments are employed to manage these operational challenges.