Dubai’s chocolate trend disturbs pistachio supply chains worldwide

A viral chocolate bar coming from Dubai has caused a global lack of pistachios, causing prices to rise and pressure on confectionery supply chains worldwide.

The product cannot get its Knafeh, created by the Fix dessert Chocolatir, a brand based on the United Arab Emirates founded by British-Egyptian businessman Sarah Hamouda and her husband Yezen Alani. It started in 2021 and inspired by Hamouda’s pregnancy cravings, the chocolate bar combines milk chocolate, Kataifi pastry and a stuffed pistachio cream, citing the popular Desert Knafeh of the Middle East.

While initially a specialized element, the bar became a global feel after a Tiktok video published in December 2023 became viral, garnering over 120 million views.

Increased international attention has rapidly increased consumer demand for chocolate pistachio.

Industry sources report that pistachios have increased from $ 7.65 to $ 10.30 per pound within one year.

Giles Hacking, a spokesman for the United Kingdom -based Karytas Trading Company, told The Hacking Hacking with UK -based Financial times That price rise reflects not only the increase in demand but also the limitations of supply.

Producers of pistachio have already been involved in failures.

A reduced harvest in the United States, the world’s largest pistachio exporter, has led to a shift to the sale of whole fruits with shell, further reducing the availability of cores used in chocolate production.

Iran, another major exporter, responded by increasing the exports of pistachio to the UAE by 40% in six months to March.

Retail traders in various markets have begun to manage the sale of pistachio -based chocolate products, as suppliers are struggling to meet the demand.

Industry players say that their phenomenon is surprised. Charles Jandreau, general manager of Prestat Group – who holds several luxurious British chocolate brands – noted that “he feels he came out of nowhere”.

The main chocolate manufacturers, such as Lindt and Läderach, have introduced their own pistachio versions, but face similar tender issues that compete for limited raw materials.

The lack highlights the increasing influence of social media on global behavior and basic consumer products. What started as a local product in the United Arab Emirates has quickly reshaped trends in the chocolate luxury industry and stretches the global offer of a key ingredient.

The Chocolatier Fix dessert continues to sell the product exclusively within the UAE, but its international impact emphasizes how viral marketing can lead to demand beyond the capacity of traditional supply chains.