Week 34 opening: post-weekend replenishment sets the tone
Monday, August 24, opens Week 34 at Dubai’s Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market following weekend consolidation. Importers, supermarkets, restaurants, retailers and wholesale distributors are replenishing fast-moving lines while reassessing origin, freight exposure and arrival condition.
The opening market is defined by three operating priorities:
- Maintaining dependable supply after weekend stock movement.
- Protecting margins against reefer rerouting and surcharge exposure.
- Matching each product with a verified buyer of that particular product.
The benchmarks below are planning references only. They are not fixed quotations. Actual Al Aweer prices vary according to origin, grade, size, packaging, daily arrivals, quality, freight, storage and negotiated terms.
Wholesale fruits and vegetables Dubai: Week 34 benchmark table
| Product | Indicative benchmark | Planning notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cucumber | Approximately AED 1.75/kg | UAE-origin carton reference |
| Tomato | Approximately AED 3.14/kg | Jordan-origin wooden-crate reference |
| G9 Cavendish banana | Approximately AED 3.85/kg | India-origin carton reference |
| Chinese garlic | Approximately AED 5.70/kg | Based on approximately AED 16 per 2.8 kg carton |
| Indian okra | Approximately AED 8.00/kg | Based on approximately AED 32 per 4 kg carton |
| Onions | Approximately AED 2.00–3.20/kg for common trade lines | Varies significantly by origin, variety, grade and pack |
| Hass avocado | Approximately AED 18.50/kg | Premium trader reference; specification-sensitive |
| South African lemon | Approximately AED 3.67/kg | Competitive reference from recent market reporting |
The broad onion market has shown a wider range, from approximately AED 1.11/kg to AED 8.00/kg, depending on origin, size and pack. A recent indicative market average was approximately AED 2.71/kg. Buyers should compare like-for-like specifications rather than using one average price for every shipment.
The Al Aweer price reference platform provides an additional market reference. Buyers and exporters should confirm same-day availability before committing to a container, purchase order or distribution mandate.

Onion sourcing transition: compliant alternatives remain essential
The onion supply transition requires more than replacing one country of origin with another. Importers must evaluate legality, supply continuity, transit time, curing, dry matter, packaging and expected shelf life.
Potential compliant alternatives may include:
- India: Suitable for volume programmes, subject to export policy, crop timing and quality consistency.
- Egypt: Competitive for bulk requirements when grade, curing and packaging meet buyer specifications.
- Jordan: Relevant for selected regional produce programmes and shorter supply routes.
- Oman: Useful for regional replenishment where shorter transit supports freshness.
- Local UAE farms: Appropriate for selected vegetables and short-haul requirements, subject to volume availability.
Every shipment must comply with current UAE trade restrictions, customs procedures and origin requirements. Exporters should not route products through third countries to obscure origin or bypass restrictions.
A complete onion specification should state:
- Country and region of origin.
- Variety and colour.
- Bulb size and grade.
- Crop and harvest period.
- Defect tolerance.
- Net weight and packaging format.
- Curing, moisture and dry-matter condition.
- Expected arrival shelf life.
- Ventilation and storage requirements.
- Inspection and rejection procedures.
This specification protects exporters and buyers from unsuitable offers. A lower FOB price does not create a lower landed cost if the shipment arrives with excessive moisture, damage, sprouting or weak shelf life.
Avocado premium persists; South African citrus offers a selective window
Hass avocado remains a premium line in the Al Aweer market, with an indicative reference near AED 18.50/kg. The premium reflects product specification, size, origin, condition, pack presentation and limited availability. Buyers should secure a confirmed requirement before purchasing premium avocado volume.
South African citrus presents a different commercial position. South African lemons have recently been referenced near AED 3.67/kg, creating a potentially competitive window for buyers seeking reliable citrus supply. This is not a guaranteed discount or fixed market price. The opportunity depends on:
- Fruit size and grade.
- Brand and carton format.
- Arrival condition.
- Remaining shelf life.
- Reefer freight and port charges.
- Quality deductions and wastage.
- Final distribution cost.
For citrus exporters, the relevant calculation is the landed AED/kg after freight, insurance, terminal handling, clearance, inland delivery, distribution commission and expected loss. The product must remain commercially viable against the current Al Aweer benchmark.
Gulf reefer rerouting: landed-cost reality for Week 34
Gulf logistics remain sensitive to routing restrictions, vessel availability and temperature-controlled capacity. Alternative gateways such as Salalah, Khor Fakkan and east-coast UAE ports may form part of contingency planning, but routing availability must be confirmed directly with the carrier and logistics provider.
Maersk operational updates have referenced emergency freight charges of approximately USD 3,800 per reefer container on affected Middle East corridors. Additional landbridge or contingency charges may apply according to the route and shipment status. Maersk’s official Middle East operational update should be reviewed before booking.
CMA CGM has also reported a USD 1,000 per reefer container Peak Season Surcharge for specified North Europe-to-Middle East Gulf movements loaded from August 15, 2026. The CMA CGM advisory provides the reported trade-lane details.
Converting surcharge exposure into product cost
A USD 1,000 surcharge spread across a 24,000 kg reefer adds approximately USD 0.042/kg, or about AED 0.15/kg before other charges. A USD 3,800 emergency freight charge adds approximately USD 0.158/kg on the same load, or about AED 0.58/kg.
The actual impact depends on net loaded weight. Buyers must also account for:
- Additional handling.
- Trucking from alternative ports.
- Temporary storage.
- Port congestion.
- Temperature monitoring.
- Delays and quality loss.
- Customs and inspection costs.
Discussions around AD Ports truck and air capacity additions may support alternative movement, but capacity announcements should be independently confirmed before a shipment is planned. Current market reporting indicates that truck and air options remain under pressure, particularly for reefer cargo.
The proposed Salalah–Khor Fakkan landbridge concept should also be treated as a routing option requiring confirmation, not as an automatically available service. More handovers can increase transit risk and temperature exposure.
How to export food to Dubai: eight operating steps
Businesses searching for how to export food to Dubai should use a compliance-led process.
1. Define the exact product
Confirm the commodity, origin, variety, grade, size, packaging, quantity and intended buyer channel.
2. Identify a suitable UAE importer or distributor
The UAE counterparty must have the relevant trade activity, receiving capability and clearance arrangements for the product.
3. Verify the buyer
Confirm the company identity, trade licence, warehouse or delivery point, product requirement, payment terms and ability to receive the shipment. Exporters should seek a verified buyer for exporters uae, not merely an unqualified inquiry.
4. Confirm regulatory requirements
Check product registration, Arabic labelling, customs classification and applicable health, phytosanitary, veterinary or Halal documentation. UAE authority requirements can vary by product and origin.
5. Agree the commercial structure
Define the price basis, freight responsibility, quality tolerance, inspection process, payment timing, distribution fees and loss allocation.
6. Prepare documents before loading
A standard file may include the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading, phytosanitary certificate for applicable plant products, health certificates and product specifications.
7. Control loading, transit and arrival
Inspect the product before dispatch. Record weights, packaging, seal numbers, loading photographs, container condition and temperature requirements. Coordinate customs clearance and arrival inspection without unnecessary delay.
8. Review landed performance
Compare the actual landed cost, wastage, buyer acceptance, delivery timing and repeat-order potential. This data improves future sourcing and pricing decisions.

Mayil Global’s 3% commission distributor UAE model
Mayil Global supports international exporters seeking structured access to the UAE through a 3 percent commission distributor uae model.
The model is designed to provide:
- Product-specific buyer coordination.
- UAE market distribution.
- Local commercial communication.
- Organized logistics and delivery planning.
- Transparent commission-based representation.
- Support for long-term supply relationships.
The 3% commission should be documented in writing with the product, shipment value, service scope, settlement terms and responsibilities clearly defined. This gives exporters a predictable alternative to unclear intermediary margins.
Exporters requiring immediate liquidity can also discuss immediate Cash & Carry container purchases. Under this structure, Mayil Global may evaluate a direct purchase of suitable stock, subject to product inspection, documentation, quantity, origin, quality and delivery feasibility.
Cash & Carry transactions are relevant for exporters that want faster payment, reduced receivables exposure and quicker reinvestment into the next shipment. Approval remains product-specific and compliance-led.
Wholesale supply for UAE buyers
Mayil Global supplies fresh fruits, vegetables, premium spices, rice and farm-fresh eggs to supermarkets, restaurants, retailers and wholesale distributors across the UAE.
Our sourcing and logistics process combines trusted farms and global suppliers with quality inspection, hygienic handling, proper storage and organized distribution. Buyers can review available product categories through the Mayil Global products page.
The operating objective remains consistent: delivering dependable supply, consistent quality and timely distribution through strict quality control.
Commercial checklist before commitment
Before confirming a Week 34 purchase, distribution mandate or export shipment, verify:
- Exact product, origin, grade and size.
- Packaging, net weight and loading quantity.
- Same-day market reference for the same specification.
- Full landed cost, including rerouting and reefer surcharges.
- UAE importer and buyer credentials.
- Required certificates and product registration.
- Invoice, packing list, HS code and manifest accuracy.
- Inspection and rejection terms.
- 3% commission terms or Cash & Carry purchase terms.
- Storage, ventilation and temperature requirements.
- Payment channel and settlement timing.
- Arrival inspection and claims procedure.
- Confirmation that the buyer is a verified buyer of that particular product.
Week 34 begins with replenishment demand, persistent avocado premiums, a selective citrus opportunity and elevated logistics exposure. Exporters and UAE buyers should base every decision on verified counterparties, documented specifications and current landed-cost calculations.
Mayil Global provides farm-direct sourcing, global supply coordination, strict quality control, hygienic packaging and reliable UAE distribution. To discuss a product requirement, exporter mandate or verified buyer opportunity, contact Mayil Global.





















