Tradeling sees up to 11 percent spike in F&B B2B trade in UAE & Saudi Arabia leading up to Ramadan

10x Industry

Mita Srinivasan
10x Industry
Published:

Tradeling sees up to 11 percent spike in F&B B2B trade in UAE & Saudi Arabia leading up to Ramadan

Analysis of supermarkets in UAE & Saudi Arabia found that during the first week and a week before Ramadan, the highest number of promotions and user engagement with them is recorded. As a result, sales for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) typically spike by 6 percent in the UAE and 11 percent in KSA. 54 percent of these buyers use e-commerce sites for Ramadan purchase ideas.

Tradeling has witnessed a significant spike in food and beverage (F&B) purchases by UAE and Saudi Arabian business buyers in the lead-up to and during Ramadan. Data shows that 54 percent of shoppers in the UAE and KSA use e-commerce sites to discover ideas for Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr purchases. Analysis of supermarkets in these countries has accordingly found that during the first week of the Holy Month and a week before Ramadan, the highest number of promotions and user engagement with them is recorded. As a result, sales for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) typically spike by 6 percent in the UAE and 11 percent in KSA.

The landscape of FMCG, similar to every industry, has changed as a result of COVID-19 with 85 percent of business buyers saying that the pandemic changed their food habits. Despite this, F&B continues to witness drastic spikes in popularity in the UAE, especially during Ramadan.

In 2022, F&B in the UAE was highly popular with Tradeling data reporting that over 1,100,000 beverages were ordered throughout the entirety of Ramadan; pantry inventory like vegetable oils, beverages such as soft drinks, and dairy and eggs items were among the most ordered product categories. In 2023, pantry items as well as beverages continue to be highly popular while demand for eggs and dairy has slipped thus far.

Tradeling’s platform, which is an easy and simple-to-use digital platform for wholesale buyers, traders, corporate business and retail has collated data for the most ordered goods and the most sold products during this time.

Although the Holy Month is centred around spirituality and faith, it has also become one of the year's highest seasons in terms of spending in MENA; with driving factors including Iftar and Suhoor consumption habits, as well as the spirit of giving back. While people often cook for themselves and their households, generosity extends to include cooking and distributing meals country-wide.