Quick answer: In the UAE, a 1 litre bottle of genuine extra virgin olive oil usually costs more than refined or “pure” olive oil, because it is the top grade and is made only by pressing fresh olives. Our Loralai extra virgin olive oil costs AED 145 for 1 litre, AED 119 for 750 ml, AED 92 for 500 ml and AED 59 for 250 ml, with free delivery and cash on delivery. To pick an original bottle, check the grade, harvest date, dark glass and a clear origin.
Shelves in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are full of olive oil from many countries. The labels look similar, but the oil inside can be very different. This guide explains what a fair price looks like in AED, how to compare bottles of different sizes, and the simple checks that help you buy original extra virgin olive oil in the UAE.
In this guide
- Olive oil price in UAE: what you pay for
- Compare price per litre, not price per bottle
- How to pick an original olive oil bottle in the UAE
- What makes olive oil "extra virgin"
- Why fake or mislabeled olive oil is a real problem
- Best olive oil in UAE for everyday use
- Why our oil comes from Pakistan
- Frequently asked questions
Olive oil price in UAE: what you pay for
The price of olive oil in the UAE depends on three things: the grade, the bottle size and how the oil reached the shelf. Extra virgin is the highest grade. It is cold extracted from fresh olives with no chemicals and no heat treatment, so it keeps its natural taste and antioxidants. “Olive oil”, “pure olive oil” and “light olive oil” are mostly refined oil with a little virgin oil added, which is why they cost less. Pomace oil is cheaper still. You can read the full difference in our guide to types of olive oil.
Here are our prices in the UAE. Every price includes delivery, and you pay in cash when the bottle arrives.
| Bottle | Price (AED) | Price per litre (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 litre | 145 | 145 |
| 750 ml | 119 | about 159 |
| 500 ml | 92 | 184 |
| 250 ml | 59 | 236 |
All four sizes are the same extra virgin olive oil from our own orchard near Loralai, Balochistan. You can see them all in our shop, or go straight to the 1 litre bottle, which gives the lowest price per litre.
Compare price per litre, not price per bottle
A small bottle can look cheap and still cost much more per litre. Before you compare two brands, divide the bottle price by its size in litres. For example, AED 59 for 250 ml is AED 236 per litre, while AED 145 for 1 litre is AED 145 per litre.
Also compare the same grade. A 1 litre bottle of “pure olive oil” is not a fair comparison with a 1 litre bottle of extra virgin, because refined oil costs far less to make. If one extra virgin bottle is much cheaper than every other one on the shelf, ask why.
How to pick an original olive oil bottle in the UAE
No label can prove purity on its own, but these checks remove most of the risk:
- Grade: the label should say “extra virgin olive oil”. Words like “pure”, “light” or “classic” mean a refined blend.
- Harvest date or best before date: olive oil is best within about 18 months of bottling. A harvest date is a good sign that the producer is open about freshness.
- Dark glass or tin: light damages olive oil. Avoid clear plastic bottles that have been under bright shop lights for months.
- Clear origin: the label should name the country, and ideally the region or farm, where the olives grew. “Packed in” is not the same as “grown in”.
- Producer details: a real company name, address and batch number.
- Taste and smell at home: fresh extra virgin oil smells green, like cut grass or fresh olives, and often leaves a peppery feeling in the throat. A flat, greasy or crayon-like smell suggests old or low grade oil.
Our guide on how to tell if olive oil is real explains these checks in more detail, including why the fridge test is not reliable.
What makes olive oil “extra virgin”
The International Olive Council (IOC) sets the trade standard used by many countries. To be called extra virgin, an olive oil must pass both lab tests and a taste test by a trained panel. The main limits are:
| Test | Extra virgin limit | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Free acidity | 0.8% or less | Healthy, fresh olives, processed quickly |
| Peroxide value | 20 meq O2/kg or less | Low oxidation |
| Sensory defects | zero | No rancid, musty or fusty taste |
| Fruitiness | must be present | Real olive flavour |
These results come from a lab report, not from the bottle itself. A serious producer can share the acidity result of each harvest. Our page on what extra virgin olive oil is explains each test in simple words.
Why fake or mislabeled olive oil is a real problem
Mislabeling is a global issue, not only a UAE one. A well known 2010 study by the UC Davis Olive Center tested imported olive oils sold as extra virgin in California and found that 69% failed the international sensory standard for extra virgin. Common reasons were oxidation, poor quality olives and blending with cheaper refined oil.
The lesson for buyers in the UAE is simple: very low prices, no harvest date, clear plastic bottles and vague origin are all warning signs. Buying from a producer who grows and presses the olives makes it much easier to know what you are getting.
Best olive oil in UAE for everyday use
The best olive oil for most UAE kitchens is a fresh extra virgin olive oil that you will finish within a few months of opening. You can use it for salads, hummus, labneh and dips, and also for everyday cooking and shallow frying. Extra virgin olive oil is more stable under heat than many people think, as we explain in our guide to cooking with extra virgin olive oil.
If you use olive oil every day, the 1 litre bottle gives the best value. If you want to try the taste first, start with 250 ml. Once opened, close the cap tightly and keep the bottle away from the stove and sunlight. Our olive oil storage guide has more tips for hot climates like the UAE.
Why our oil comes from Pakistan
Our olives grow in our own orchard near Loralai in Balochistan, where hot days and cool nights suit olive trees. We harvest by hand, press the fruit quickly and bottle the oil ourselves, so we know every step from tree to bottle. You can read the full story in olive oil from Pakistan. For buyers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE, this means a single origin oil with a clear source, delivered free with cash on delivery. Buying for family in Riyadh or Jeddah too? See our guide to the best olive oil in Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of 1 litre olive oil in UAE?
It depends on the grade and brand. Refined or “pure” olive oil costs less than extra virgin. Our Loralai extra virgin olive oil costs AED 145 for 1 litre, including delivery, and you pay cash on delivery.
How can I check if olive oil is original in the UAE?
Look for the words “extra virgin”, a harvest or best before date, dark glass or tin, a named country or region of origin and full producer details. At home, fresh extra virgin oil should smell green and fruity and taste slightly bitter or peppery.
Which olive oil is best in UAE for cooking?
Fresh extra virgin olive oil works well for most home cooking, including sauteing and shallow frying, as well as salads and dips. Choose a bottle you will finish within a few months of opening so the flavour stays fresh.
Is cheap olive oil in Dubai fake?
Not always, but a very low price is a warning sign for extra virgin oil, because real extra virgin costs more to produce. Cheap bottles are often refined or pomace oil, which is legal if the label says so. Problems start when cheaper oil is sold as extra virgin.
Do you deliver olive oil in the UAE with cash on delivery?
Yes. We deliver all four bottle sizes across the UAE with free delivery, and you pay in cash when your order arrives. Prices are shown in AED in our shop.