UAE: Dubai airports sells 2.5 million chocolate bars in 6 months, here are the top brands
Dubai's airports have become a chocolate lover's paradise, with a remarkable 2.5 million bars of locally made chocolates sold in just the first half of 2025. This surge in sales, which has generated an impressive Dh165 million in revenue, underscores the increasing demand for UAE-based chocolate brands.
Speaking to local media outlet Dubai Eye, Ramesh Cidambi, CEO of Dubai Duty Free, highlighted that these sales have provided a significant boost to the local economy. Cidambi pointed out that, since these brands are homegrown, the majority of the revenue from these chocolate sales remains within the UAE, benefitting the country's economy as a whole.
FIX
: The Viral
Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate
FIX has become synonymous with "Dubai chocolates," particularly due to its world-famous pistachio kunafa chocolate.
This unique fusion of traditional Middle Eastern dessert flavors with chocolate took the world by storm. Despite various attempts by other brands to replicate it, the authentic FIX taste remains an exclusive treat found only in the UAE.
In an exclusive collaboration with Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, FIX crafted a one-of-a-kind chocolate flavor, tailored to his personal preferences, which included Halawt, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert.
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The brand has continued to innovate, recently launching a tropical flavor, "Time to Mango," which aims to capture the essence of Dubai's sunny climate.
L'ocali: Luxury Meets Heritage
The Dubai-born brand L'ocali blends two key pillars of the UAE, heritage and luxury. Its chocolates, which include dates wrapped in 24k edible gold, embody the opulence that Dubai is famous for. L'ocali's offerings also include chocolate-coated dates with various fillings such as pistachio, rose, and orange peel, as well as gourmet chocolates crafted from Belgian truffles and Swiss chocolate.
The brand's focus is on capturing the essence of Dubai's luxury experience, making it a favorite among both locals and tourists.
Bateel: The Pioneer of
Date Chocolate
Bateel is more than just a chocolate brand, it's a part of the UAE's culinary heritage. Established in 1992, the brand is deeply rooted in both the UAE and Saudi Arabian traditions, with its headquarters in Dubai. The word "Bateel" refers to the young offshoot of a date palm tree, symbolizing growth and new beginnings, which aligns with the brand's commitment to innovation in chocolate.
Bateel revolutionized the chocolate industry when it "invented the date chocolate" in 2000, combining the rich flavors of dates with the decadence of high-quality chocolate. Beyond its signature date chocolates, Bateel also offers artisanal chocolates from regions like Brazil and the Dominican Republic, along with cookies inspired by Middle Eastern flavors like date dhibs and milk chocolate sesame praline.
The brand's expansion into the broader food sector, with the opening of Cafe Bateel in 2007, cemented its position as a beloved spot for residents and visitors alike. In 2023, it launched Bateel El'an, a more compact, cafe-focused format.
Al Nassma: The
Camel Milk Chocolate
Pioneer
Founded in 2008 by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Al Nassma is the UAE's first camel milk chocolate brand, and it has become an iconic name in the Middle East. Camel milk has long been a staple in the region, particularly among Bedouins, and Al Nassma uses this unique ingredient to craft chocolates that reflect the traditions of the Arabian desert.
The brand has made a mark with its "hollow figures," caravan boxes, pralines, and chocolate bars. Known for its luxurious offerings, Al Nassma has positioned itself as the "Godiva of the Middle East," combining high-quality chocolate with the distinct flavor of camel milk.
Samha: Camel Milk with a Twist
Launched in 2019 by Prime Chocolate, the parent company of Al Nassma, Samha brings another dimension to the world of camel milk chocolate. While Al Nassma offers a broad range of camel milk-based chocolates, Samha focuses specifically on camel milk-covered dates, which are a local favorite.
Samha has also embraced the pistachio kunafa flavor, adding a camel milk twist that brings a unique local touch. The bite-sized treats are a popular choice for birthdays, gatherings, and celebrations, helping people from diverse nationalities in the UAE share a taste of local culture.
I Love Dubai: A Fusion of Local Flavors
If you thought pistachio kunafa chocolate was the most innovative combination, think again. "I Love Dubai" offers some of the most unique chocolates in the region, including pistachio baklava chocolate and gahwa crunch. The pistachio baklava is a nod to the UAE's rich history of layered desserts, while the gahwa crunch incorporates gahwa, the Emirati term for Arabic coffee, a symbol of the country's legendary hospitality.
Another standout is halwa rahash, a Middle Eastern dessert made from sesame seed paste. It has a nutty, fudge-like texture, and when paired with chocolate, it creates a truly distinctive local flavor experience.
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Tesla's move upset some officials, the people said, prompting regulators to clarify that carmakers must secure approval before issuing any driver-assistance updates. Tesla halted the updates. But later in March, to help maintain customer interest and collect feedback, it said it would offer a one-month program for drivers to try some FSD features free. Regulators again told Tesla to stop, saying it shouldn't use drivers as guinea pigs. Chinese authorities further tightened oversight across the entire sector, after a crash involving Xiaomi's driver-assistance technology in late March. Tesla's struggles in China today contrast with the prepandemic years, when Chinese leaders appeared willing to do anything to court Musk. Their hope was that Tesla's expansion in China would propel underachieving local automakers and help build out the country's EV market. Chinese officials likened it to lobbing a predatory catfish into a pond full of sluggish fish. China provided Musk and Tesla with cheap land, low-interest loans and tax incentives. In 2018, Tesla announced plans to build its first overseas car factory in Shanghai, becoming the first foreign automaker Beijing allowed to produce cars in China without a local partner. Tesla's sales in China surged, as did its exports from Shanghai to other markets. Tesla's presence also paid off for Beijing, igniting consumer interest in domestically made EVs and accelerating development of China's EV supply chain. Soon, some Chinese automakers were adopting Tesla technologies such as 'gigacasting," which employs high-pressure aluminum die-casting to create a car's frame, combining hundreds of manufacturing steps into one to save costs and time. Xiaomi was among those that followed suit. In April 2023, Chinese automakers' progress stunned attendees at an annual auto show in Shanghai. During the pandemic, Western auto executives had limited access to the country. But now, they found an utterly changed streetscape, with EVs everywhere and cars that were far more advanced than anticipated. Although Musk came to China to leverage its low costs and enormous market, he wasn't prepared for China's response, said Bill Russo, chief executive of Automobility, a Shanghai-based strategy firm. 'What he didn't bargain for is that Chinese companies would do that, too, and they would probably do it even better than you can," he said. 'He made the same mistake that every foreign automaker made—to underestimate China's ability to out-innovate you." A big risk for Musk now is that the same pattern will play out in other businesses Tesla is banking on for future growth. In late March, Tesla began shipping 'Megapack" batteries, which provide grid-scale energy storage, from a newly built Shanghai factory to its first overseas market, Australia. It's a business Beijing wants to grow and which multiple companies, including CATL, are moving into. 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As Chinese suppliers work with Tesla, it could speed up that process. 'Once you secure contracts with Tesla, domestic robotics companies will be much more willing to collaborate with you," said Chen Feng, a marketing manager at an Optimus supplier. 'Tesla can play catfish again." During a recent call with analysts, Musk said he believed his Optimus was No. 1 in the sector. But he worried China would eventually dominate the field. 'I'm a little concerned that on the leaderboard, ranks two through 10 will be Chinese companies," Musk said. Grace Zhu contributed to this article. Write to Raffaele Huang at Lingling Wei at and Yoko Kubota at
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
When going got tough for equity investors, how trusted financial advisors made it easy and rewarding
Smart allocation Calming investors Tactical vs strategic In September last year, a 56-year-old retiree from Mumbai reached out to her financial planner , Santosh Joseph, CEO of Germinate Invest or Services. The former public sector bank employee wanted to invest in equities for the first time. She had parked her money in fixed deposits (FD) for most part of her working life and now wanted to get a taste of March 2025 lows came, she was distraught. Her portfolio had lost 15% in just three months. She regretted her decision, thinking that venturing into equities was akin to gambling and that she ought to have stayed away. However, a call from Joseph changed her mind—and her fortunes. Ten months later, she has not just recovered her losses, but made a smart profit as Director & Chief Financial Planner, Dilzer ConsultantsThe power of compounding actually works. Discipline in markets is one of the most underrated, yet powerful, tools for successful having a financial adviser as a sounding board for irrational in portfolio values, uncertainty and lack of increased exposure to gold, bonds and equities, where we found gaps in asset allocation, or where monies were waiting on the sidelines for deployment in the like these aren't rare. As market volatility has tested investor nerves, financial planners have quietly played the role of steady navigators—booking profits, tweaking asset mixes and, most importantly, stopping panic in its August 2024 and June 2025, the Sensex swung nearly 14,500 points. Bond yields seesawed (but largely fell), and midcap and small-cap stocks corrected. For the average investor, it was a nerve-wracking ride. However, those with experienced financial planners by their side found ways to not just survive, but spoke to several such advisers to understand how smart strategy and steady counsel had made all the 2023, when small-cap equity funds were all the rage with investors, with net inflows worth Rs.41,035 crore, Gurugram-based financial adviser Ashish Chadha sent out a note to his investors to go slow on Director of Chadha Investment Consultant, had stopped recommending them small-cap funds back then. He had even dissuaded them from fresh systematic investment plans (SIP) and, instead, channelled their savings to government securities and gold funds.'The year 2023 was bad for business,' says Chadha, referring to the contrarian call, when everyone wanted a piece of equities as the S&P BSE Sensex went up by 20% that Ladder7 Financial Advisories40% in equity; 35% debt; 15% hybrid/multi-asset funds; 10% gold and with your monthly investments in spite of turbulence in the markets.I have always followed strategic asset allocation; never invested tactically to take advantage of the advice to invest in gold and witnessed an impressive influx of more than Rs.41,000 crore, small-cap funds posted more inflows than outflows that the time, Chadha's only recommendation in equity was large-cap funds and Nifty Next50 index passive funds. A year later, his investors not just recovered losses, but made a smart profit as well. 'Typically, a 60% allocation in equities is ideal. Going slow in mid caps and equities in 2023 and much of 2024 helped our clients' allocation to equities come back to around 60%,' says ongoing SIPs aside, investors and advisers also look for opportune moments to step up their investments. This is not market timing, but the point where, after a persistent fall in the markets, it seems reasonably safe to put in a small lump sum. On 4 March, when the Sensex hit a low of 72,989 points, smart advisers saw little downside from thereon and nudged investors to step up their equity often panic when the market falls. However, they need to remember that it recovers as Director & Chief Executive Officer, Etica WealthInvesting in a PSU fund in August 2020. My four-year SIP return: 56% (compounded).I just show them my family's portfolio. We either swim together or sink problem is most investors don't even follow 'Plan A' properly. Brian Feroldi, a US based wealth professional, once said, 'The best investment plan for you isn't based on some formula. It's the one you'll actually stick with when markets are crashing.'Goal-based investing discussions. Let's try and solve the real money problem of our investors. I'm not interested in market Kothari, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Etica Wealth, a Mumbai-based distribution firm, advised his clients to resume lump-sum investments in equities that day and continued reinforcing his message throughout the week.'We invest a lot via SIPs. So most of my clients have been investing regularly, but many don't do it through SIPs. We dug into our database and found those who don't, and reached out to convince them that it was a good time to get back in,' says adds that his firm deployed nearly Rs.10 crore that week between fresh inflows, additional lump-sum top-ups and switches from liquid funds. Of this, Rs.2.26 crore came through fresh purchases and Rs.5 crore via 234 additional purchase Dilshad Billimoria, Managing Director and Chief Financial Planner at Dilzer Consultants, a Sebi-registered investment advisory firm, increased the time period of her clients' systematic transfer plans (STP), in 2024, as equity markets were going up. The STP facility helps transfer money from liquid or short-term debt funds to equity mutual funds. It helps investors with a lump sum in hand to deploy money steadily into equities. 'If somebody had an STP program of 12 weeks, we increased it to 20,' she says. Billimoria's firm also dug deep into the clients' portfolios to identify non-performers and took advantage of the rising markets to if your SIPs are on, there are special situations that may require deft handling. If these come up amidst market mayhem and global uncertainty, it could cloud your judgement. Here's where a guiding hand is reassuring. Suresh Sadagopan, Founder of Ladder7 Financial Advisories, tells us about a client who was a senior executive in her company, but was constantly stretched financially on account of multiple loans and high cost of her children's education. In February, at the height of the US trade tariff uncertainty, Sadagopan realised that she had a lot of employee stock options from her US-based company that were lying in a US-based depository account. Sadagopan said that the company itself wasn't in a great shape. 'We sold a small portion of her US shares to close some of her loans. We retired quite a few of her loans so that a larger portion of her regular salary here could be directed towards savings,' says Chadha Investment ConsultantNot watching social media and TV as it messes up your asset Sindoor and the Israel-Iran risk. If price is cheap, it turns portfolios over a third whiskey at a another instance, according to Sadagopan, a client who retired in November 2024 got a large sum as retiral benefit, including the provident fund and gratuity. Equity markets had already started to fall by then; the Sensex had fallen by 8% between the peak of September and November-end. While regular income needs were to be met from debt investments, Sadagopan had to ensure longevity of the corpus by investing a chunk in equities. A large lump sum (part of retiral benefits) is usually invested through STPs. The question was by what he says, his firm initiated STPs of 20-24 weeks, instead of the usual 10-12 weeks. 'It worked out quite well. The STPs were started when equity markets were at relatively lower points. We also put some money in gold and silver assets.'If you have invested wisely and are continuing with your SIPs, what does a financial adviser bring to the table?Most advisers we spoke to said that they didn't need to do anything with a majority of their clients. Sadagopan adds that none of his clients asked him to stop the SIPs. He says that volatile periods like the one prevalent since September 2024 don't really call for significant action because 'we generally build a high margin of safety when we make financial plans'. Besides, it's a fact that what goes down, eventually comes up (see table).CEO, Germinate Investor ServicesThese are extremely important and relevant. Just beware of the position and starting to invest able to afford what you want to do with your time and yourself. Everything else transcends a sharp correction, say, 10% or more, within a short period of time.'Knowing that their basics are covered helps clients stay invested with more confidence,' says Rohit Shah, Founder & CEO, GYR Financial Planners. In the past 10 months, Shah says none of his clients have stopped their SIPs, even as volatility has surged. Sometimes, however, volatility provides tactical opportunities. Shah recollects a client for whom he had already planned, sometime last year, to deploy money in mid-cap funds once valuations became attractive, over six months. But when mid- and small-cap indices dropped sharply in late 2024, Shah reached out with a suggestion: 'Let's prepone the next few instalments.'Money was already parked in liquid funds and an STP was on. 'Based on our analysis, that segment was offering good value,' he recalls. The client agreed, and they redeployed the capital at a lower NAV (net asset value).Founder & CEO, Getting You Rich Financial PlannersFaith in the future, patience with results, and disciplined investing.A behaviour firefighter, stepping in to manage emotions and guide decisions.'Love' that a family holds for generations to a market correction that'll last throughout 2025 due to Operation Sindoor and US President Donald Trump's you're in the accumulation phase, what happens in the next six months won't matter.
