The UAE is located on the Arabian Peninsula, which is mostly covered by the sand of a hot desert. For this reason, fruits do not grow there. Bad news for fruit lovers? Absolutely not! The Arab Emirates is a country of great opportunities, where dreams come true. Dubai is a city where it’s easy to turn a rainless landscape into a garden or to build a ski jump among the desert. You can buy everything from all over the world there, including all kinds of exotic fruits.
🍍 Where to buy fruit in the UAE
Various fruits are sold at any nearby store. There is no difference where to buy because the stores and markets have the same assortiment and the same suppliers from India, Thailand, African countries and even the United States and Chile.
I advise to choose supermarket “Carrefour” and “LuLu Hypermarket”. They have a large selection of fresh fruits. The prices in these stores are usually cheap enough. Also you can go to the fruit market.
Dubai fruit market
The Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in Dubai is located near the Ras Al Khour Nature Reserve on the outskirts of the city. You have to go there by the E66 “Dubai – Al Ain” Road. In this article I have described in detail this way of using public transport.
Fruit market in Sharjah
Souq Al Jubail, Sharjah’s fruit market, is located next to Al Jubail Bus Station. From this main bus station it is possible to take bus no.303 from Sharjah to Dubai. Al Jubail the fruit market is inside of a beige oriental style building.
Abu Dhabi fruit market
The Abu Dhabi Fruit & Vegatables Mina Market is located in the Al Mina neighborhood. It is open from 3 am to 9:30 pm, except on Fridays. GPS – 24.5162444, 54.3791032.
Of all these markets, the Sharjah market the most convenient for my family because of its location, good diversity of fruits and vegetables, and prices as well.
🍉 Fruit cost in the Arab Emirates
Here are the average prices for all the fruit and vegetables we found in the Arab Emirates:
- Avocado – AED 9.90 / US$ 2.7;
- Pineapple (from Philippines) – AED 9 / US$ 2.5/ per one piece;
- Banana – AED 4.20 / US$ 1.2;
- Guava – AED 10 / US$ 2.7;
- Kiwi fruit – AED 14 / US$ 3.8;
- Strawberry – AED 2.6 / US$ 0.7/ per pack;
- Coconut (from India) – AED 2.95 / US$ 0.8/ per one piece;
- Lemon – AED 4.90 / US$ 1.3;
- Mango (from India) – AED 11.50 / US$ 3.1;
- Mango (from Kenya) – AED 6.9 / US$ 1.9;
- Pitahaya (from Thailand) – AED 16.50 / US$ 4.5;
- Papaya (from India) – AED 11 / US$ 3;
- Rambutan (from Thailand) – AED 12.50 / US$ 3.4;
- Plum – AED 14.50 / US$ 4;
- Apple – AED 5.90 / US$ 1.6;
- Green Granny apples – AED 8 / US$ 2.2.
Average prices of vegetables in the Emirates:
- Eggplant – AED 2.60 / US$ 0.7;
- Radish – AED 4.50 / US$ 1.2;
- Cucumber – AED 2.20 / US$ 0.6;
- Sweet pepper – AED 1.30 / US$ 0.3;
- Tomato – AED 1.30 / US$ 0.3;
- Potato – AED 1.50 / US$ 0.4;
- Zucchini – AED 3.90 / US$ 1.1;
- Cauliflower – AED 1.90 / US$ 0.5;
- Cabbage – AED 2.60 / US$ 0.7;
- Chili – AED 9.80 / US$ 2.7.
These prices are per kilo if I haven’t indicated per piece. I have listed these prices for the high season from November to April. But prices may change in summer because some fruits and vegetables are out of season.
You can carry on board international flights any fruit from Dubai. They can be taken both in cabin baggage and in luggage. Just keep in mind the total weight of the bag allowed.
