Spokesperson: Rick Malhotra, Finance Director Elfab Co.
Food is an important part of Ramadan traditions. The types of food served vary by country and regions, but key ingredients remain the same.
For over 40 years, Elfab Co. (L.L.C.) has observed that during the Holy Month of Ramadan, sales of Lamb and Poultry items increase significantly. Lamb sales typically increase by 25%.
Correspondingly, there is a drop in the consumption of Beef and Seafood items.
Hotels and restaurants make changes to their menus to offer traditional Iftar dishes to their guests.
Supermarkets change their offerings to customers to meet increased demand for lamb and poultry. Cooking traditional dishes at home often includes Lamb and Poultry. To manage this change in consumer consumption, we have over the years adjusted our product mix accordingly. Planning for this change in consumption patterns is critical and takes place well in advance.
Popular items that Elfab ensures is available includes the following:
Frozen Poultry: Chicken Breast, Chicken Thighs, and Chicken Shawarma.
Chilled Lamb: Lamb Leg Bone In, Lamb Leg Bone Less, Lamb Hind Shanks, Lamb Shoulder Bone In, and Lamb Should Bone Less.
Frozen Lamb: Lamb Ouzi (Carcass)
Some of the most popular Emirati lamb and poultry dishes cooked during the Holy Month of Ramadan include:
Aishu Laham: is definitely a family favourite at Iftar. The satisfying dish has generous portions of rice and lamb, flavoured with ginger, garlic, dried lime and saffron.
Machboos: originated in Saudi Arabia but is a traditional dish across many countries in the Middle East. The dish is made from basmati rice, cooked in an abundance of flavourful spices with meat. Chicken and lamb are both popular options.
Lamb Ouzi: Ouzi is the Lebanese word for a dish of baked lamb and spiced rice. A blend of sweet spices, including allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom, gives the recipe its Middle Eastern accent.
Harees: is a dish of boiled, cracked, or coarsely-ground wheat, mixed with meat and seasoned.
Thareed: is a traditional Arab dish made from pieces of bread in a vegetable or meat broth.
Samboosa: It is considered a Ramadan staple, being an essential inclusion in typical iftar feasts. It is a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, chicken and other meats.
Due to the pandemic, last year was challenging with strict restrictions in place, hotel and restaurant closures etc. While the quantities of products moving in the market were comparatively less, the mix of products (Lamb and Poultry) remained the same. We believe that the mix of requested items will remain the same this year, and are optimistic that sales will increase compared to last year.
About Elfab Co. (L.L.C.)
Elfab Co. (L.L.C.), a leading Dubai-based importer and distributor of premium chilled and frozen meats, frozen poultry, and seafood products for the last 40 years. The company has been in the meat business since 1975.
Elfab looks for the finest products and has long standing partnerships and relationships with top tier producers and suppliers from across the globe. Elfab supplies premium Chilled and Frozen Meat, Frozen Poultry and Seafood products to hotels, restaurants, clubs, hypermarkets and supermarkets based here in the UAE.
