UAE
AED165 Million Worth of Dubai Chocolates Sold at Dubai Airport. Before your next flight out of Dubai, you might want to join millions of passengers indulging in sweet treats. Dubai Duty Free reported a staggering AED165 million ($45 million) worth of chocolate sales in the first half of 2025 alone, underlining the emirate’s position as a global hub not just for travel but also for confectionery.
Dubai Chocolates Drive Airport Sales
Dubai Duty Free CEO Ramesh Cidambi shared on Dubai Eye that these chocolates, many produced within the UAE, made up 40% of all confectionery sales, with over 2.5 million chocolate bars sold between January and June 2025.
“This reinvests money into the local economy because these companies are domiciled in the UAE,” Cidambi explained, highlighting the economic impact beyond just satisfying passengers’ sweet cravings.
Which Chocolates Are Passengers Buying?
The category known as “Dubai chocolates” has risen in global fame, particularly after the launch of the viral pistachio kunafa chocolate bar. This flavour sensation, inspired by the traditional Middle Eastern dessert, became an instant hit, leading to imitators worldwide. However, travellers note that the authentic taste remains exclusive to the UAE.
Royal Endorsement and Unique Flavours
Adding to the brand’s prestige, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan once collaborated with Fix, a leading chocolate brand, to develop a custom flavour infused with Halawt, a traditional Middle Eastern sweet. This royal endorsement boosted the brand’s luxury appeal.
Building on its innovation streak, the brand recently unveiled a new tropical-inspired flavour called ‘Time to Mango’, targeting both local and international consumers seeking unique taste experiences.
Why Dubai Chocolate Sales Matter
These massive sales figures illustrate how Dubai Duty Free leverages culinary tourism alongside luxury retail. For brands, airports remain prime exposure zones to global travellers. For the UAE economy, this means millions in reinvestment, job creation, and continued brand-building of “Made in UAE” products.
The Bottom Line
So next time you transit through Dubai International Airport, don’t be surprised if your fellow travellers are stocking up on these homegrown chocolate bars. They’re not just buying sweets; they’re taking a bite of Dubai’s brand and culture back home with them.
Origin – Dubai Chocolate
Fix Dessert Chocolatier was created by Egyptian-British entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda in 2021, who, inspired by her pregnancy cravings, began creating chocolate bars containing unusual fillings. Hamouda had been based in Dubai since around 2015. Some sources credit her partner, the chef Nouel Catis Omamalin, as the creator even though it was Hamouda’s chocolate idea.
Dubai chocolate gained popularity as manufacturers were facing high costs in producing cocoa and pistachio products. Due to the product’s composition, manufacturing Dubai chocolate allowed them to keep costs down. Dubai was viewed as a trendy location among young people, particularly with social media influencers.
