DUBAI: Pistachio chocolate fever has officially hit new heights. Dubai Duty Free recorded AED28.52 million in pistachio chocolate sales—in just one month, making April its fourth-best month ever for overall sales.
The pistachio Kunafa bar, made famous by FIX Dessert Chocolatier founder Sarah Hamouda, has gone viral globally. What began as a pregnancy craving has now caused a worldwide pistachio shortage and turned into a dessert empire.
In April alone, this green-hued treat accounted for 4% of the AED713 million total sales at Dubai Duty Free. Even more impressively, it made up a whopping 40% of all confectionery purchases, making it the top-selling sweet item at the airport.
With demand soaring, Dubai Duty Free now stocks five different pistachio chocolate brands to keep up with chocoholics flying in and out of the emirate. It’s not just a trend anymore—it’s a phenomenon.
The pistachio craze is also reshaping how retailers approach seasonal and viral food trends. “What’s happening here is a fusion of social media buzz, airport footfall, and high-quality regional flavours,” a retail analyst commented. “Dubai Duty Free is at the centre of it all.”
The Kunafa bar’s appeal lies in its fusion of Middle Eastern and Western dessert cultures—a creamy pistachio blend wrapped in premium chocolate and filled with flaky Kunafa. A true Instagrammable bite.
And with airport foot traffic back to pre-pandemic levels, sales are expected to rise further as more travellers grab a taste of the trend on their way home.
So next time you fly through DXB, don’t be surprised if there’s a queue—just follow the pistachio scent.
