According to a Financial Times report, the price of shelled pistachios has jumped significantly, climbing from about $17 to almost $23 per kilogram. The main reason for this surge is the tremendous success of Dubai chocolate filled with pistachio cream, which went viral on social media—especially TikTok—in 2023 and sparked an unprecedented wave of demand for this luxury product.
This widespread popularity of Dubai chocolate has not been limited to the UAE; it has directly impacted the global pistachio market. Iran, the world’s second-largest pistachio producer, increased its pistachio exports to the UAE by 40% in the six months leading up to March 2025 compared to the entire previous year, according to data from the Iranian Customs Authority. This move aimed to meet the growing demand for pistachios needed to produce the now-famous Dubai chocolate.
The crisis wasn’t caused by soaring demand alone—shortages were made worse by a weak pistachio harvest season in the United States, one of the world’s top producers, which further tightened international supplies and pushed prices even higher.
In short, Dubai chocolate has become a true “phenomenon,” not only satisfying the sweet tooth of dessert lovers but also influencing the global economy and crop prices—a success story that highlights the powerful impact local products can have on worldwide supply chains.
