Latest news with #GilesHacking
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Coles, Woolies respond to global supermarket pistachio shortage
Woolworths and Coles have given Australians an update after a viral food trend sparked a global shortage of pistachios. The supermarket giants responded after a recent spike in demand for pistachio flavoured products saw the price and availability of the humble nut soar. Pistachios became the 'hottest flavour' in recent months after the 'Dubai chocolate' trend took off on social media. The thick bar, made by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in the UAE city, is filled with pistachio cream and kataifi, a 'string' pastry commonly used to add a satisfying crunch to both sweet and savoury dishes. While Dubai chocolate first launched in 2021, it didn't take off until two years later after several TikTok creators shared their reviews, causing the pistachio-filled block to go viral. Two years on, and the pistachio craze has become mainstream, with supermarkets getting in on the action and offering items such as pistachio sandwich spreads and ice creams. But the soaring popularity has had a huge knock-on effect for producers of the nut, which confusingly, is actually the seeds of the pistachio tree. A recent report revealed pistachio kernel prices have surged from $12 a pound (almost half a kilo) a year ago to around $16 a pound, according to Giles Hacking of global nut trader CG Hacking. 'The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment,' he told the Financial Times. Thankfully, while many countries have been affected by the shortage, Australian supply has largely remained unaffected. Coles said it has a 'great supply of pistachios available' to cope with the growing demand from customers. 'We have seen a noticeable trend in customers seeking pistachio-flavoured food items, and we are committed to offering a wide range of products in this flavour for everyone to enjoy,' a spokesperson told While Woolworths also said it has been unaffected. Pistachio stocks are dwindling after a disappointing harvest last year in the US, the nut's leading exporter. California's pistachio supply fell by up to 20 per cent in the 12 months leading up to February 2025, according to the Administrative Committee For Pistachios. Iran, the world's second-largest pistachio producer, exported 40 per cent more of the nuts to the UAE from September 2024 to March 2025 than it did in the full year prior, according to Iranian customs data, the New York Post reported. Mr Hacking added that a shortage has been further fuelled by the fact the US crop was also 'higher quality than usual, leaving fewer of the cheap, shell-free kernels that are generally sold as ingredients for chocolate and other food'. In order to cope with the demand, some international retailers are limiting the number of pistachio products customers can buy, including Lindt stores.
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Warning over surge in price of viral ‘Dubai-style' chocolate as fans clearing shop shelves spark worldwide shortage
The shortage comes after a surge in Dubai-style chocolate sales and an overly successful pistachio harvest CHOC-A-NOT Warning over surge in price of viral 'Dubai-style' chocolate as fans clearing shop shelves spark worldwide shortage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PISTACHIO prices have skyrocketed after the global "Dubai-style" chocolate phenomenon which has taken the world by storm. Sweet-toothed fans have gone nuts for the viral snack - which has caused an international pistachio crunch and a stark warning from experts. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A mass pistachio shortage has been sparked Credit: Getty 4 The shortage comes after Dubai-style chocolate went viral Credit: Alamy 4 Dubai-style chocolate has a filling of pistachio cream and crispy kadayif pastry Credit: Fixchocolate Dubai chocolate contains a filling of the traditional Arab dessert Knafeh and pistachio. First created in 2021, the flavour has proven popular since its TikTok boom - with UK stores such as M&S, Lidl, and Morrisons jumping on the bandwagon and releasing versions. Waitrose was the most recent retailer to join the frenzy, adding Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate to select stores on March 23. The chocolate craze has caused pistachio kernel prices to surge from $7.65 a pound to $10.30 in the space of a year, according to a nut trading expert. Giles Hacking, of nut trader GC Hacking, said: "The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment." Waitrose even imposed a strict two bar per person limit on the sensational snack after chocolate fans cleared their shelves. The demand was first sparked by Dubai chocolatier FIX Dessert's Can't Get Knafeh of It bar. The recent boom comes after pistachio stocks were slowly dwindling after a disappointing harvest in the U.S. last year. You asked, we delivered' says Irish supermarket as viral chocolate lands in stores but 'they won't last' The U.S. - which is the world's top exporter of the green nut - also produced better quality kernels last than usual last year. This however left fewer of the poorer quality, cheaper kernels which are generally sold as ingredient for chocolate and other pistachio flavoured foods, according to Hacking. The expert said that the viral craze left chocalatiers scrambling to buy pistachios, which in turn "leaves the rest of the world short". Iran, who follow behind the U.S. as the world's second biggest exporter pistachios, exported 40 per cent more of them to the UAE in the six months to March 2025 than it did over 12 months before that. Spokesperson for Iran's pistachio association Behrooz Agah said that the shortage marked a reversal from 2023 when global supply for the sweet savoury nut exceeded demand. Due to this drop in demand, a swathe of pistachio-flavoured products came out during this time according to Agah. He said: "A variety of byproducts became available such as pistachio butter, oil and paste, which could be used in a wide range of pistachio-based foods. "That was around the same time Dubai Chocolate was launched and gradually went viral worldwide." General manager for Prestat Group, Charles Jandreau, which owns luxury UK chocolate brands, said that the craze "came out of nowhere". He added that "no one's ready for this" when describing his struggle to produce kataifi, the shredded Middle Eastern pastry which is used in the green cream. Chocolate had already been suffering from a cocoa supply, which caused prices to almost triple in 2024 as extreme weather and disease ravaged harvests. FIX said it was "incredible" to see how they had inspired "a movement in chocolate", but claimed that they were concerened about how others may be exploiting their brand. The company only sells its bars in the UAE and only for two hours a day, despite many shops recreating the snack. Marks and Spencer is launching it's own version of the viral Dubai-style chocolate, but there's a huge twist. The scrumptious treat will land on shelves on April 23, so shoppers better set their alarms to avoid missing out. The cheapest places to buy Dubai-style chocolate were also revealed in April, with prices starting at just £1.25.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Warning over surge in price of viral ‘Dubai-style' chocolate as fans clearing shop shelves spark worldwide shortage
PISTACHIO prices have skyrocketed after the global "Dubai-style" chocolate phenomenon which has taken the world by storm. Sweet-toothed fans have gone nuts for the viral snack - which has caused an international pistachio crunch and a stark warning from experts. Dubai chocolate contains a filling of the traditional Arab dessert Knafeh and pistachio. First created in 2021, the flavour has proven popular since its TikTok boom - with UK stores such as M&S, Lidl, and Morrisons jumping on the bandwagon and releasing versions. Waitrose was the most recent retailer to join the frenzy, adding Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate to select stores on March 23. The chocolate craze has caused pistachio kernel prices to surge from $7.65 a pound to $10.30 in the space of a year, according to a nut trading expert. Giles Hacking, of nut trader GC Hacking, said: "The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment." Waitrose even imposed a strict two bar per person limit on the sensational snack after chocolate fans cleared their shelves. The demand was first sparked by Dubai chocolatier FIX Dessert's Can't Get Knafeh of It bar. The recent boom comes after pistachio stocks were slowly dwindling after a disappointing harvest in the U.S. last year. You asked, we delivered' says Irish supermarket as viral chocolate lands in stores but 'they won't last' The U.S. - which is the world's top exporter of the green nut - also produced better quality kernels last than usual last year. This however left fewer of the poorer quality, cheaper kernels which are generally sold as ingredient for chocolate and other pistachio flavoured foods, according to Hacking. The expert said that the viral craze left chocalatiers scrambling to buy pistachios, which in turn "leaves the rest of the world short". Iran, who follow behind the U.S. as the world's second biggest exporter pistachios, exported 40 per cent more of them to the UAE in the six months to March 2025 than it did over 12 months before that. Spokesperson for Iran's pistachio association Behrooz Agah said that the shortage marked a reversal from 2023 when global supply for the sweet savoury nut exceeded demand. Due to this drop in demand, a swathe of pistachio-flavoured products came out during this time according to Agah. He said: "A variety of byproducts became available such as pistachio butter, oil and paste, which could be used in a wide range of pistachio-based foods. "That was around the same time Dubai Chocolate was launched and gradually went viral worldwide." General manager for Prestat Group, Charles Jandreau, which owns luxury UK chocolate brands, said that the craze "came out of nowhere". He added that "no one's ready for this" when describing his struggle to produce kataifi, the shredded Middle Eastern pastry which is used in the green cream. Chocolate had already been suffering from a cocoa supply, which caused prices to almost triple in 2024 as extreme weather and disease ravaged harvests. FIX said it was "incredible" to see how they had inspired "a movement in chocolate", but claimed that they were concerened about how others may be exploiting their brand. The company only sells its bars in the UAE and only for two hours a day, despite many shops recreating the snack. Marks and Spencer is launching it's own version of the viral Dubai-style chocolate, but there's a huge twist. The scrumptious treat will land on shelves on April 23, so shoppers better set their alarms to avoid missing out. The cheapest places to buy Dubai-style chocolate were also revealed in April, with prices starting at just £1.25.
Metro
21-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
Demand for viral chocolate bar blamed for world wide pistachio shortage
The extraordinary demand for a chocolate bar that went viral on TikTok has been blamed for a global shortage of pistachios. Dubai chocolate, which is filled with crispy knafeh, pistachio cream and tahini spread, was launched in 2021 by Dubai-based firm, Fix Dessert Chocolatier. But the sweet treat really took off after food influencer Maria Vehera shared a TikTok video of herself sampling it. The video picked up more than 120 million views and suddenly everyone wanted a bite. Brands including Lindt, Nestle and Lidl quickly jumped on the bandwagon, and started making their own versions, with Lindt seeing their copy selling out within just 72 minutes on TikTok shop. Buyers eager to get their hands on the bars also flocked to supermarket stockists across the world, with at least one retailer having to set a limit on how many you could buy at a time. Now the demand for Dubai chocolate and its many copies is being blamed for a global shortage of pistachios. Giles Hacking of nut trading firm CG Hacking, told the Financial Times the pistachio industry had become 'tapped out' due to chocolatiers making mass purchases of the kernels. Iran, who is the second world's largest pistachio producer, exported 40% more pistachios to the UAE from September 2024 to March 2025 than it did over the full 12 months before that, the MailOnline reports. The massive demand has come at a time when global stocks are already low after a disappointing harvest in the US, the world's largest exporter, last year. Meanwhile, Charles Jandreau, general manager for Prestat Group, owner of some of the UK's most luxurious chocolate brands, said that 'no one' had been 'ready' for the spike in demand for procure kataifi, the shredded Middle Eastern pastry used in the cream. Johannes Läderach, chief executive of Swiss chocolatier Läderach, said they had been 'overwhelmed with the demand for Dubai chocolate'. He said: 'We've launched them a few months ago, and its just not stopping, it's just going through the roof.' As the frenzy for the chocolate bar continues, the makers of the original version, British-Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda and her husband Yezen Alani, have criticised the brands trying to copy them. More Trending Speaking to the BBC, Mr Yezen said it was 'very frustrating because people are trying knockoffs, which damages our brand'. He said their bar was a luxury, handmade product, unlike the mass produced cheaper-made alternatives. 'It's all handmade, every single design is done by hand,' he said. 'We use premium ingredients and the process is not like making other bars – you've got the baking, moulding the chocolate to the design and with the filling itself, even the pistachios are hand-picked and processed.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'I tried TikTok's cult lash growth serum and here's my honest thoughts' MORE: 'God's just doing stuff' — why Gen Z are getting into religion right now MORE: I let my kids gorge themselves on Easter chocolate – don't judge me
Emirates 24/7
21-04-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Chocolate Sparks a Pistachio Crisis
The rapid rise of Dubai chocolate has triggered a worldwide pistachio shortage, driving prices up by a third and straining global supplies. The viral bars — a blend of pistachio cream, shredded pastry (kataifi), and milk chocolate — were introduced in 2021 by boutique Emirati chocolatier FIX. Initially a modest hit, they became a global phenomenon after a TikTok video posted in December 2023 racked up over 120 million views, sparking a wave of imitations. As demand surged, pistachio kernel prices jumped from $7.65 to about $10.30 per pound, according to Giles Hacking of nut trader CG Hacking. "The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment," he said. Retailers have struggled to keep up. Lindt's Dubai-inspired chocolate retails at £10 for 145 grams in the UK — more than double the price of its regular bars — and some shops have started rationing purchases. Lindt and British supermarket Morrisons have even launched pistachio cream Easter eggs to tap into the trend. The shortage follows an already difficult year for pistachio production. A disappointing U.S. harvest, combined with a higher-than-usual quality crop (yielding fewer cheaper, shell-free kernels), tightened supply just as demand exploded. Iran, the world's second-largest pistachio producer, has seen exports to the UAE soar — up 40% in the six months to March 2025 compared to the previous full year, according to Iran's customs office. "In 2023, supply exceeded demand, leading to lower prices and a boom in pistachio byproducts like butter and paste," said Behrooz Agah of Iran's Pistachio Association. "That environment helped Dubai Chocolate gain traction globally." Meanwhile, U.S. farmers are increasingly planting pistachio trees over almonds, but new orchards won't yield significant harvests until after September. Chocolatiers are scrambling to keep up. "It feels like it came out of nowhere," said Charles Jandreau, general manager of Prestat Group, owner of luxury UK chocolate brands, noting difficulties in sourcing kataifi pastry. The pistachio crisis comes on top of a global cocoa shortage, which has already driven cocoa prices to nearly triple due to extreme weather and disease. Chocolate producers have responded by shrinking bar sizes and adjusting recipes. FIX, the originator of the viral bar — called 'Can't Get Knafeh of It' — has expressed concerns over imitators misleading customers. The company only sells its bars within the UAE and limits sales to two hours per day. Still, competitors are racing to meet demand. 'We are just overwhelmed,' said Johannes Läderach, CEO of Swiss chocolatier Läderach. "We launched Dubai chocolate a few months ago, and demand just keeps skyrocketing." Source: Albayan Newspaper /FT Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
