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According to a survey conducted in the first quarter of 2024 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the most common reason for buying local fruits and vegetables was their quality, as indicated by ** percent of the respondents. Comparatively, ** percent of the customers surveyed in the country indicated that local fruits and vegetables are better advertised than those imported.

Local produce demand and satisfaction

Fruits and vegetables were the leading product category with preferred local supply in the UAE, with about 9 out of 10 customers actively seeking such produce as of 2024. In the same year, customer satisfaction with the local fruit and vegetables offered in the country was high, reaching an almost ** percent satisfaction rate in Abu Dhabi. Due to their perishable nature, factors such as freshness and product availability were central to fruit and vegetable shopping in the country.

Uptake in online channels

Fruits and vegetables are expected to become the second-largest food category consumed in the UAE by 2027. Alongside this trend, there is a significant shift in consumer behavior toward online purchasing. The food e-commerce market in the UAE is projected to experience substantial revenue growth in the coming years. Notably, the penetration rate of online food delivery is forecast to reach approximately ** percent by 2028, highlighting the increasing reliance on digital platforms for grocery shopping.