Bananas top grocery lists, 1.6m burgers delivered

Bananas were the most ordered grocery item in the UAE for the third year running, while Careem delivered more than 1.6 million burgers in 2025, according to new data released by the company outlining consumer habits across its platform.

The figures form part of Careem’s 2025 Trends Report, which tracks activity across food delivery, grocery shopping, payments and mobility services. The data points to rising demand for fast, app-based services as customers increasingly prioritised convenience and reliability.

Grocery orders through Careem Quik recorded particularly high engagement. The largest single grocery basket placed during the year totalled AED 4,600, while one customer placed 41 separate grocery orders in a single day. Careem also reported that its fastest grocery deliveries in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi were completed in just 70 seconds.

Sundays remained the busiest day for grocery shopping, with peak ordering between 7pm and 8pm.

The company said bananas continued to lead grocery demand among both men and women, reflecting a consistent preference for everyday staples. Careem Quik also expanded partnerships with local UAE farms, allowing customers to receive fresh produce within 24 hours of harvest.

Food delivery remained a major driver of platform activity. Alongside the 1.6 million burgers delivered, Careem reported that breakfast was the most popular cuisine of the year, while matcha-based drinks saw a 120 percent increase in orders compared with 2024. The fastest food deliveries in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were completed in under three minutes, with peak ordering also occurring between 7pm and 8pm.

Careem delivery statistics

Beyond food and grocery services, Careem Pay expanded its international remittance offering to more than 35 countries. Nearly 20 percent of transfers were completed in under 60 seconds, with the fastest transfer processed in seven seconds. One user made more than 480 transfers to India during the year, while another transferred a total of USD 620,000 to Pakistan.

Mobility services also saw high usage in 2025. Rides taken across the UAE covered more than 160 million kilometres, while Careem Bike users completed 1.8 million trips, contributing to reduced carbon emissions. Careem Plus members saved an average of AED 375 per month, a 25 percent increase compared with 2024.

Careem said the findings reflect broader shifts in consumer behaviour in the UAE, with customers increasingly using a single digital platform to manage food, groceries, payments and transport as part of their daily routines.