Dubai Chocolate Obsession Triggers Pistachio Shortage

Since being discovered by TikTok’s foodies last autumn, Dubai chocolate has become a global sensation. The chunky chocolate bar had people travelling hundreds of miles to try it – and went on to spark a flurry of dupes all over the world, which proved so popular supermarkets had to introduce two-bar limits. But all this hype has sparked a shortage of the central ingredient: the humble pistachio nut.

Is There A Pistachio Shortage?

The original Dubai chocolate was created by Emirati chocolatier FIX, made with milk chocolate and a pistachio and shredded pastry filling. After soaring to colossal fame on social media, the bar led to a worldwide obsession with pistachio treats: brands including Lindt, Nestle and Lidl created copycat versions, while pastry chefs hurried to introduce new pistachio puddings to their menus. 

However, the pistachio is now paying the price – literally. Pistachio kernel prices have risen from  $7.65 a pound a year ago to around $10.30 a pound now, according to Giles Hacking of nut trader CG Hacking. ‘The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment,’ he told the Financial Times. 

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Stocks were already in short supply before the craze took off – the result of a poor harvest in the US, the world’s leading producer of pistachios (Iran and Turkey are also major producers). ‘There wasn’t much in supply, so when Dubai chocolate comes along, and [chocolatiers] are buying up all the kernels they get their hands on . . . that leaves the rest of the world short,’ explained Hacking. 

Chocolatiers have also discussed the unprecedented obsession with pistachio chocolate. Charles Jandreau, general manager for Prestat Group, told the publication that ‘no one’ had been ‘ready’ for the spike in demand to procure kataifi, the shredded pastry used in the Dubai chocolate. ‘It feels like it came out of nowhere, and suddenly you see it in every corner shop,’ he added.

Pistachios aren’t the only ingredient chocolate makers are struggling to get their hands on: since early 2024, there has been a global shortage of cocoa supply too, leading to a hike in prices. This is down to a combination of climate change (which is affecting numerous areas of food production) and tree diseases, particularly in West Africa, where a lot of the world’s cocoa is produced. Could our favourite treat – and nut – be at risk?