UAE residents looking to cut grocery costs can compare prices for staples such as rice, eggs, milk and cooking oil through the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s Essential Goods Prices Platform.

By displaying store names, product prices and package weights or volumes, the platform helps households compare the cost of everyday essentials using standard units of measurement.

Pricing information on the platform was updated through October 8, 2026, making it a useful reference for household shopping plans.

The prices in this report represent the lowest calculated unit price for selected goods among retailers listed on the platform. The figures are based on product prices and package quantities recorded by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and are not sourced from supermarket websites or delivery apps.

Which stores offer the lowest prices?

According to the platform, the lowest recorded price for white toast bread is AED 4.92 per kg at Umm Al Quwain Co-op, while fresh whole chicken costs AED 11.31 per kg at Emirates Co-op.

Among cooking oils, canola oil costs AED 7.28 per litre at Emirates Co-op, corn oil AED 7.25 per litre at Carrefour and sunflower oil AED 5.10 per litre at Emirates Co-op.

In the dairy category, the lowest recorded price for fresh full-fat milk is AED 3.75 per litre at Emirates Co-op. Powdered milk costs AED 15.33 per kg at Sharjah Co-op, while yoghurt is priced at AED 3.48 per kg at KM Trading.

For eggs, white eggs cost AED 0.23 each at Choithrams, while brown eggs are priced at about AED 0.49 each at Carrefour.

In the pulses category, the lowest recorded prices are AED 4.53 per kg for beans at Al Maya, AED 3.83 per kg for fava beans at Emirates Co-op and AED 3.99 per kg for white chickpeas at Carrefour.

Green lentils are priced at AED 4.38 per kg at Umm Al Quwain Co-op and Union Coop, while red lentils cost AED 3.88 per kg at Al Maya.

Among other essential goods, basmati rice costs AED 4.38 per kg at LuLu, while white sugar is priced at AED 2.35 per kg at the same retailer. The lowest recorded price for flour is AED 6 per kg, available at Spinneys, Nesto, Carrefour, LuLu and Emirates Co-op.

However, prices may vary depending on the brand, package size and product specifications. Comparing unit prices can help identify cheaper options, but shoppers should check product details and the actual package quantity before buying.

The ministry’s platform also places dried and canned products such as beans, fava beans, chickpeas and lentils in shared categories. Shoppers should therefore consider the product type and how it is sold when comparing prices.

Rice and sugar prices in the UAE

According to the platform, a 5kg pack of basmati rice at LuLu costs AED 21.90, equivalent to AED 4.38 per kg.

A 5kg pack of white sugar at the same retailer costs AED 11.75, equivalent to AED 2.35 per kg.

Buying one 5kg pack of basmati rice and one 5kg pack of white sugar would therefore cost a total of AED 33.65.

However, this amount covers only the two products and does not represent the full cost of a household grocery basket.

Larger packages may offer better value per kilogram, but they may not suit every household’s needs. Shoppers should consider their consumption levels and available storage space before choosing bulk packs.

Egg and chicken prices in the UAE

Choithrams sells a pack of 15 white eggs for AED 3.45, equivalent to AED 0.23 per egg.

By comparison, a pack of 30 brown eggs at Carrefour costs AED 14.55, or about AED 0.49 per egg.

However, these prices apply to different products, and shell colour should not be the only basis for comparison. Shoppers should also check the number of eggs in each pack, their size, brand and other product specifications.

For poultry, Emirates Co-op lists a fresh whole chicken weighing 1.1kg at AED 12.44.

This puts the price at about AED 11.31 per kg. However, customers would pay AED 12.44 for the full package, with the per-kilogram price provided only for comparison with similar products.

Cooking oil and dairy prices in the UAE

According to the recorded data, Emirates Co-op sells sunflower oil in 5-litre containers for AED 25.50, equivalent to AED 5.10 per litre.

The same retailer sells a 3.6-litre container of canola oil for AED 26.20, or about AED 7.28 per litre.

At Carrefour, a 3-litre container of corn oil costs AED 21.75, equivalent to AED 7.25 per litre.

Given the differences between types of oil, households should consider both the variety and their consumption needs when comparing prices.

In the dairy category, 1 litre of fresh full-fat milk is priced at AED 3.75 at Emirates Co-op.

KM Trading sells a 10kg container of yoghurt for AED 34.75, equivalent to about AED 3.48 per kg.

This example highlights the importance of checking package size alongside the unit price. A price of AED 3.48 per kg does not mean customers can buy a 1kg package for that amount.

How supply costs affect food prices

Dubai-based food supplier Avisa General Trading said government price monitoring puts pressure on wholesalers to offer competitive rates, enabling retailers to keep prices for regulated goods within prescribed levels.

In its March market analysis, the company said: “These conditions place greater pressure on importers to optimise sourcing and transport costs.”
According to the company, diversifying supply sources, using forward purchasing contracts and consolidating shipments are among the measures that can help manage costs.

However, the analysis relates to supply-chain conditions and does not, by itself, indicate changes in food prices during October.

How to manage monthly grocery spending

UAE-based advertising company Arsh Marketing said in an analysis of consumer shopping patterns that smaller, more frequent purchases mean more visits to stores but less spending on each trip.

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s Essential Goods Prices Platform allows users to select products and compare the total cost of their purchases across different retailers.

The platform also offers filters for product category, brand, unit of measurement, location, retailer and branch.

Preparing a list of regularly purchased household items can help consumers compare costs more accurately and choose the most suitable retailer.

However, spending less on each shopping trip does not necessarily mean lower monthly household expenditure.

For a more accurate assessment of savings, consumers should compare identical products of the same weight or volume over consistent periods. Keeping receipts and recording promotional discounts separately can also support better household budget management.

Official UAE Essential Goods Prices Platform:
https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/essential-goods-prices-platform