Grocery orders made by residents of the UAE at 4am have seen a significant increase of 70 percent during Ramadan, according to data released by the local company Careem. This surge in orders reflects the unique eating habits of those observing the fast during the holy month, as the figures were compiled from Careem’s Everything App, showcasing distinct consumer trends.

For suhoor, the pre-dawn meal before the call to prayer at around 5am, popular choices included The Big Feast from McDonald’s and Plain Paratha from Punjab Flower Restaurant. When it comes to iftar, which marks the breaking of the fast at dusk, the top selections were an 8-piece Wings Meal from Wingstop in Dubai and the traditional meat dish Haleem from Ritaj Restaurant in Abu Dhabi.

Careem reported a 36 percent rise in order volumes during suhoor hours in March compared to February. Notably, the largest single food order in Dubai during this month amounted to over Dh2 460 for ten items from Café Bateel. Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, a customer placed the most expensive order, costing Dh1 410 for twelve items from Behrouz Biryani.

Additionally, the app recorded an 8 percent increase in grocery deliveries in March compared to the previous month. The peak hours for grocery orders shifted from the usual 7pm to 8pm to between 4pm and 5pm during Ramadan, with orders placed around iftar rising by 25 percent. The largest grocery order in Dubai totaled around Dh2 800 for 60 items, while in Abu Dhabi, the biggest order cost more than Dh1 400 for 42 items. Commonly ordered items included bananas, bottled water, cucumbers, and blueberries.

Delivery times were remarkably swift, with the fastest grocery delivery in Dubai being completed in just 1.5 minutes to Al Safa Park Complex, while Abu Dhabi’s quickest delivery took 2 minutes to Najmat Tower on Al Reem Island.

Residents also took advantage of the app’s Dine-Out option, which offered discounts at various restaurants. One customer reportedly saved over Dh6,000 on a booking valued at more than Dh27 000 for the Terrace Iftar at JW Marriott Marquis, while another utilized the service 31 times throughout the month.

Furthermore, international money remittances via the app rose by 6 percent during Ramadan, with a notable 10 percent increase in the amount sent to India. Many customers reached the monthly transfer cap of Dh450 000 while sending money to India, likely due to increased gifting and donations during this period. Pakistan experienced the largest month-on-month surge in transfer volumes, with one individual sending 46 separate transfers to the country during Ramadan.