Talabat Mart sizzles on Ramadan day one: Orders jump 21% as Iftar prep goes digital

MENA – talabat, the MENA region’s on-demand delivery powerhouse, has kicked off Ramadan with a record-breaking bang: its grocery service talabat mart experienced its single busiest day ever on the first day of the holy month, with orders soaring 21% week-on-week.

Average basket sizes grew 3% as households embraced digital convenience for their Iftar preparations.

Afternoon Rush: The Last-Minute Iftar Dash

Peak order volumes hit between 2 pm and 5 pm, those precious final hours when home cooks realize they’re missing that one essential ingredient or simply decide to outsource the chaos to quick commerce.

The data reveals a fundamental shift in Ramadan shopping behavior: families are increasingly turning to on-demand delivery not just for convenience, but as a deliberate strategy to reclaim time during the month’s demanding daily rhythm.

What’s in the Basket? Ramadan Staples Take Center Stage

Early data reveals the ingredients powering Iftar tables across the region.

Top performers include fresh produce, dairy and laban, ready-to-cook meal ingredients, dates and traditional sweets, plus beverages and juices.

The most-sold items during Ramadan’s first six days read like a grocery list for the perfect meal: Banana Chiquita, Mai Dubai Drinking Water, Cucumber GCC, Tomatoes UAE, and Al Ain Mineral Drinking Water.

Multiple items saw accelerated week-on-week growth as households stocked up.

Quick Commerce: The New Ramadan Ritual

“Ramadan reshapes daily routines, and we see that immediately in customer behavior,” observed Alix De Zelicourt, GM of talabat mart.

“What we’re seeing is not just seasonal demand, but a structural reliance on quick commerce as households prioritize convenience, speed, and flexibility during peak preparation hours,” he added.

The message is clear: ordering groceries via app isn’t just a pandemic habit anymore, it’s woven into the fabric of modern Ramadan.

The Weeks Ahead: More Feast, Less Fuss

With Ramadan just beginning, talabat mart expects sustained elevated demand throughout the month.

The coming weeks traditionally represent the highest-grocery-consumption period of the season, meaning more records could tumble before Eid arrives.

For households juggling work, worship, and hospitality, quick commerce offers a precious commodity: time. And in Ramadan, time might be more valuable than anything in the basket.

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