Major supermarket chains operating across the UAE have moved to reassure consumers that food availability remains strong, with multiple retailers arranging chartered and commercial cargo flights to bring in fresh produce, meat, and dry goods from overseas markets.
Al Maya Group confirmed it has been receiving regular air shipments from India in recent days, as reported by Khaleej Times. “Yes, we have also received some supplies by air over the past few days. On Friday we received around 500 kg of mutton from Delhi by flight, and another one tonne of mutton from Delhi on Saturday. From Kerala, we have been continuously receiving bananas, drumsticks, coconuts and other items over the last three days. In addition, fresh vegetables, fruits and some condiments arrived this morning from Mumbai by air, and more air shipments are planned in the coming days to ensure steady availability in the market,” Kamal Vachani, the group’s deputy CEO, partner, and group director, told Khaleej Times.
Vachani added that he has been personally visiting branches to check on stock levels. “I visit all the branches to ensure continuity and give confidence to our customers that supplies are well-stocked and there is no cause of concern,” he said.
Adil Group of Supermarkets has also been sourcing goods through a combination of air freight and sea routes. Dr Dhananjay Datar, the company’s chairman and managing director, said containerized cargo is now arriving at Khorfakkan port, where clearance operations have improved. “I wanted to personally reassure you about the current situation regarding food supplies and shipping to the UAE. We continue to import dry food and other essentials through chartered flights whenever needed, ensuring continuity of supply. For normal containerised goods coming to Dubai, vessels are now arriving at Khorfakkan, where the process of releasing cargo has become smoother and more efficient, similar to Dubai,” he said.
Datar also dismissed concerns about potential price hikes. “We currently have plenty of stock available, so there is absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to food availability in the UAE,” he added.
Lulu Group, one of the region’s largest retail operators, said it has activated special cargo operations from India and other sourcing markets worldwide. An Etihad Airways cargo freighter landed in Abu Dhabi at 2am on Saturday, March 7, carrying roughly 12,000 packages — about 80 tonnes — of fresh fruits and vegetables from Kochi, Kerala. The retailer had earlier arranged a separate shipment of around 80 tonnes of meat from New Delhi, with further consignments being organized from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Melbourne.
“Our priority is to ensure that families across the UAE continue to have access to fresh food and essential products without any concern,” said Lulu Group Chairman Yusuffali M.A., noting that the company’s global logistics network is designed to maintain uninterrupted supplies and stable pricing.
Carrefour, meanwhile, assured shoppers that its supply chain remains robust. “We are fully prepared [with] the essentials you and your family rely on. While you may experience minor delays in delivery orders, our teams are working diligently to keep this to a minimum,” the company said.
