Grocery chains across the UAE are making every effort to protect shoppers from price hikes on daily essentials, even though the government has rolled out its highest fuel price increase in recent times.

UAE Supermarkets Diesel Prices Jump 70%

Supermarkets across the country are working hard to manage the quiet but effective financial pressure triggered by April’s diesel price hike. Yet, many industry leaders have made it clear that taking on the full weight of these rising costs is neither practical nor sustainable in the long run.

Fuel Price Surge Impacts Supply Chains

Petrol prices rose by Dh0.80 per litre, whereas diesel soared more than 70 per cent, climbing from Dh2.72 to Dh4.69 per litre. This is the result of global oil market turbulence created by the US-Israel-Iran war. Diesel is the primary fuel keeping delivery fleets and supply chain operations running; the impact is felt immediately and strongly across transportation, logistics, and deliveries.

Rising diesel prices have an unavoidable and direct impact on transportation, retail, and delivery industries. Many businesses choose to quietly absorb the change through adjusting internally, while others have no choice but to pass these conditions on to the customer. Retailers may shield certain essential products from price increases while making selective adjustments elsewhere to protect their overall margins.

‘Not All Costs Can Be Absorbed’

Some of the UAE’s most prominent business voices have shared their perspective on the issue, helping put a clearer picture for consumers. Dhananjay Datar, Chairman and Managing Director of Adil Group, noted that higher diesel costs mean higher logistics and transportation bills, putting considerable pressure on retailers, and most importantly on the people who are handling large quantities of everyday goods where margins leave very little chance to work effectively.

Datar said, While we are absorbing part of the increase through internal efficiencies, it is not sustainable to bear the entire burden indefinitely. Some selective price adjustments may be necessary while we continue to keep essential items as affordable as possible for our customers.

Pressure on Margins

The most immediate and painful consequence of the diesel price surge is the intense pressure it places on retail profit margins. Supermarkets and grocery chains already operate on very thin margins, leaving very little financial benefit to absorb a cost shock of this level. With transportation bills having nearly doubled in April, retailers are now being stuck from both ends: rising operational costs on one side and price-sensitive consumers on the other. If the situation persists, the effects may go well beyond margins alone; delivery frequencies could be reduced, product ranges narrowed, and promotional offers scaled back as businesses prioritize financial survival over commercial generosity.

Despite the challenges they are facing by the regional conflict, many supermarket chains in the UAE have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining product availability across all its outlets.