Ramadan represents the month of spiritual reflection, fasting, and community gatherings, but it also serves as one of the most economically important periods for the UAE’s food and beverage sector. This is a time when millions of residents fast from dawn to sunset, which influences the food market and consumer spending on essentials, dining experiences, and food delivery. The demand in businesses associated with the food market jumps sharply, especially with groceries and fast-food restaurant bookings, online orders, and festive promotions.
According to our food industry statista, sales in the food and beverage category during Ramadan 2024 experienced a spike of 15% compared to other months, driven by grocery shopping, iftar and suhoor dining, as well as the growth of online food delivery. It is further projected in 2025 that such increases would be even greater because brands will expand their product offerings and optimize food delivery service offerings while creating special promotions for Ramadan.
Surge In Demand For Grocery Essentials
As expected, Ramadan boosts supermarket sales, especially in terms of dates, juices, and spices, which are the primary essentials for the meals intended for iftar and suhoor. With families gathering at home to break fast during iftar, grocery shopping grows, resulting in a higher number of supermarkets being visited and bulk purchases being made at these outlets. In the UAE food market, one of the highest in-demand products is dates, which has increased by 20% in sales, as it is traditionally taken to break the fast. Likewise, fruit juices and flavored drinks will incur an increase of 25% in demand as most consumers are more likely to quench their thirst after hours of fasting.
Additionally, cooking staples such as rice, flour, lentils, and spices experience higher sales as home-cooked meals become a daily tradition. With health-conscious choices gaining traction, supermarkets are now stocking organic dates, sugar-free beverages, and low-calorie snacks to meet evolving consumer preferences. Many brands in the UAE food market are also introducing Ramadan-special grocery bundles and discounts, further boosting sales and encouraging bulk purchasing trends throughout the holy month.
How Iftar And Suhoor Buffets Drive Restaurant And Food Delivery Sales
During the month of Ramadan in the UAE, the restaurant industry receives many guests for the iftar and suhoor buffets of both residents and tourists. Luxury hotels and restaurants come out with special menus during Ramadan, with traditional and international selections to satisfy all tastes. Buffet hotel booking increased by 30% for March 2024, whereas premium dining packages were in the highest demand. Because families and friends gather together for iftar, restaurants experience increased table bookings and extended hours, making Ramadan a prosperous period for the hospitality sector.
Simultaneously, food delivery platforms experience tremendous upticks in orders during iftar and suhoor, as full-course meals are favored. By 2024, whenever Ramadan orders increased by 28% according to food delivery apps Talabat, Deliveroo, and Zomato, family meal deals, Arabic sweets, and fast food were the three most popular orders. While projecting 2025, the demand for food delivery services is expected to reach diametrically higher levels due to AI meal recommendations, swift delivery logistics, and special Ramadan combo offers. Restaurants and delivery services have put such exciting seasonal meal bundles, discounts, and free delivery options in place to lure customers into purchasing their offerings during the holy month; priced interference might be necessary.
Rise In Sales Of Fast Food, Traditional Sweets, And Hydration Products
As consumer cravings peak during Ramadan, demand for fast food, traditional snacks, and drinks significantly increases. People prefer home-cooked meals, yet top fast-food chains reap huge sales after hours of relentless fasting when consumers typically indulge in fried snacks, burgers, and pizzas. Fast food orders soared to an astounding 22% increase in 2024, making it favored for Iftar. Traditional sweets, including kunafa, baklava, and luqaimat, had witnessed a rise of 30% in their sales, as desserts constituted an important part of Ramadan meals, enjoyed both at home and in restaurants.
There has been a great increase in demand for hydrating products, such as flavored waters, coconut waters, and electrolyte-rich drinks. Productivity is estimated to rise by 25% as consumers seek to replenish fluids and revive energy levels after fasting. With health and more informed choices taking precedence, 2025 is expected to see a trend of transitioning to low-sugar desserts, plant-based snacks, and drinks that boost electrolytes, adapting to consumer diets. Accordingly, it is likely that brands will expand their product portfolios, bringing in healthy and functional beverages that are adapted for use during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Growing Popularity Of Cloud Kitchens During Ramadan
With food delivery demand at an all-time high, cloud kitchens are transforming the UAE food delivery market by maximizing efficiency and reducing costs. These virtual, delivery-only restaurants operate without a physical dining space, allowing them to scale operations and meet the surge in iftar and suhoor orders during Ramadan. In 2024, cloud kitchens experienced a 15% revenue increase, partnering with food delivery platforms to offer exclusive Ramadan meal plans featuring traditional Arabic dishes, fusion cuisines, and customized iftar boxes. As the online food delivery market in UAE continues to expand, cloud kitchens are expected to play an even bigger role in catering to evolving consumer demands.
As 2025 approaches, cloud kitchens are expected to expand further, leveraging AI-driven meal planning, automated cooking solutions, and data-backed menu optimization to cater to fast-changing consumer preferences. Businesses looking to understand and capitalize on this trend can benefit from insights provided by market research companies in UAE, helping them identify growth opportunities, optimize pricing strategies, and enhance digital-first dining experiences.
How Brands Leverage Special Deals And Promotions During Ramadan
Ramadan is a key promotional period during which brands entice consumers with time-specific discounts, meal deals, and festive campaigns to achieve sales. Supermarkets apply bulk-buy discounting and grocery bundles, while restaurants target groups with iftar and suhoor offers. Food delivery companies use demand to fuel their businesses with discounts and free delivery, thus pushing consumer spending further.
In the year 2024, Ramadan promotions registered an 18% growth in F&B sales, with the bulk of it in online grocery platforms and meal delivery services. Before 2025 kicks in, the players will further leverage AI-led promotions, influencer involvement, and social media campaigns to attract customers and remain competitive across the UAE food and beverage sector.
Conclusion: Maximizing Ramadan 2025 Market Opportunities
Ramadan is a crucial revenue-driving period for the UAE food market, with grocery sales, restaurant dining, and online food deliveries experiencing significant growth. As consumer preferences evolve, businesses must adapt by offering personalized experiences, expanding product offerings, and leveraging data-driven promotional strategies to stay competitive.
For companies looking to capitalize on Ramadan 2025 trends, Sapience, one of the best market research agencies in UAE, provides expert insights and strategic market analysis to help businesses identify growth opportunities, optimize pricing strategies, and create impactful marketing campaigns. With consumer spending rising across multiple sectors, businesses that align their strategies with Ramadan trends will achieve greater success in 2025 and beyond.
Leverage Ramadan consumer trends with Sapience. Let our data-driven strategies help you grow in the UAE food and beverage market.
