I'm Ba-a-ack! And Ramadan is Coming

Red, white and blue Ramadan banners in a supermarket

Ramadan staples, like oatmeal, in supersized displays for stocking up

Ramadan decor dresses up the produce section

I recently returned to Saudi Arabia after spending seven busy months in the US.  I'll be blogging now for a short time and then I'm going to be retiring from blogging. The plan is to spend more time back in the US and just do shorter visits back to Saudi Arabia instead of living here full time. My blogs will still remain online.   

 

WEEKEND ROUNDUP - LETTER "Z"

STARTS WITH "Z" - ZAKAT IS ONE OF THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM. IT IS AN ISLAMIC OBLIGATION TO BE CHARITABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE.

"ZIPPY" - NO ABAYA AND WEARING ZEBRA. 

I'D SAY THAT'S PRETTY "ZIPPY" FOR SAUDI ARABIA!

A FAVORITE - "ZAATAR" - A TASTY MIDDLE EASTERN MIXTURE OF VARIOUS HERBS AND SPICES, LIKE OREGANO, THYME, SUMAC, SAVORY & SESAME SEEDS, USED IN BREAD DISHES.

ANOTHER FAVORITE "Z" PIC - COLORFUL ZINNIAS

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LINKING TO - THE WEEKEND ROUNDUP

FRIDAY BLISS

 

PHOTO MIX

WALKING BY

CHOCOLATES IN LOVELY RAMADAN PACKAGING

DELI DELIGHTS ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE WITH PEPPER RINGS

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LINKING TO - MOSAIC MONDAYS

SOUVENIRS

ALL SEASONS

 

SUPERMARKET RAMADAN DECORATIONS

RAMADAN WILL START APRIL 13 AND LAST ONE MONTH

LINKING TO -  OUR WORLD TUESDAY

MY CORNER OF THE WORLD

SOUVENIRS

ALL SEASONS

PICTORIAL TUESDAY

 

WEEKEND ROUNDUP - LETTER "G"

GREEN -  ROSHAN / RAWASHEEN

STARTS WITH G - GROCERY STORE

A FAVORITE - GIRLFRIENDS

LINKING TO - THE WEEKEND ROUNDUP

 

FOOD PRICES IN SAUDI ARABIA

When I go back to the USA for the summers, I am usually shocked at the price of groceries.  Food prices here in Saudi Arabia have been much cheaper than the US, but we've noticed a steady climb over the past few years.  Especially with imported foods.  It's been a while since I've done a post about food prices, so I thought now would be a good time to compare. Here we go!

FRESH PARSLEY, CILANTRO, MINT, DILL, MOLOKHIA, ETC., SOLD IN LARGES BUNCHES FOR 1.44 SR  (38 cents US)

IMPORTED BEEF TOMATOES & VINE TOMATOES - 34 SR PER KILO.  ONE KILO IS 2.2 POUNDS. SO IMPORTED TOMATOES ARE ABOUT $2.25/LB US 

IMPORTED ASPARAGUS AT 86 SR (ABOUT $23 US).  ARE THERE ACTUALLY PEOPLE WHO LOVE ASPARAGUS SO MUCH THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY THAT PRICE?

IMPORTED BROCCOLI (FROM THE USA) FOR 52 SR PER KILO.  SO THAT IS ABOUT $7 US FOR ONE POUND OF BROCCOLI.  I CAN'T IMAGINE PAYING THAT MUCH FOR BROCCOLI!

LOCAL BROCCOLI SELLS FOR 14 SR/KILO, WHICH IS ABOUT $1.87/LB US 

KIWI - 7 SR/KILO = 93 CENTS/LB US 

(NOTE - THERE ARE MANY SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCE MARKETS WHERE PRICES FOR FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE  MUCH CHEAPER)

IMPORTED BRAZILIAN BEEF STRIPLOIN - 68 SR/KILO = $9/LB US 

LOCAL BONELESS VEAL - 75 SR/KILO =  $10/LB US 

FRESH BEEF BURGER PATTIES - 50 SR/KILO =  $6.66/LB US 

FRESH LAMB SHOULDER - 63/KILO = $8.40/LB US 

FRESH LAMB CHOPS -  98 SR/KILO = $13/LB US 

(NOTE - THESE ARE SUPERMARKET PRICES - INDIVIDUALLY OWNED MEAT MARKETS USUALLY HAVE CHEAPER PRICES)

FROZEN JUMBO SHRIMP - 69 SR/KILO - $9/LB US 

1 WHOLE FROZEN GRILLER CHICKEN 1200G (2.64 LB) - SALE PRICE 11 SR =  $2.93 US

THE FOLLOWING MEATS ARE PREPARED, SEASONED & READY TO COOK:

BEEF SHAWARMA - 56 SR/KILO = $7.50/LB US 

CHICKEN SHAWARMA - 40 SR/KILO = $5.30/LB US 

BREADED BEEF SCALLOPINI - 57 SR/KILO = $7.58/LB US 

BREADED CHICKEN SCALLOPINI - 40 SR/KILO = $5.30/LB US 

GROUND BEEF KABOBS (MEAT ONLY) - 51 SR/KILO = $6.78/LB US 

CHICKEN KABOB (MEAT ONLY) - $2.66/LB US 

DELI BEEF MORTADELLA - 41.50 SR/KILO = $5.50/LB US

DELI CHICKEN MORTADELLA - 47 SR/KILO = $6.25/LB US

DELI GOUDA CHEESE - 77 SR/KILO = $10.25/LB US 

DELI KASHKAWAN  CHEESE - 63 SR/KILO = $8.39/LB US

DELI MOZARELLA CHEESE - 44 SR/KILO = $5.86/LB US

PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE, 280 GRAMS (10 OZ) - 17 SR = $4.53 US

FRESH MILK, 1 LITER - 5 SR = $1.33 US

FRESH MILK, 2 LITERS - 9 SR = $2.40 US

PKG OF 6 HAMBURGER BUNS -  .50 SR =  13 CENTS US

(NOTE - WHILE BREAD PRICES HAVE RISEN HERE, BREAD PRODUCTS STILL CONTINUE TO BE VERY AFFORDABLE, AS FLOUR IS SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT)

TWO-PACK OF 1.5 LITRE BOTTLES OF COOKING OIL - ON SALE 29 SR = $7.73 US

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, 500 ML (17 OZ)  - ON SALE 11 SR =  $2.93 US

JAR OF MIXED PICKLES, 660 GRAMS (23 OZ) - 9 SR =  $2.39 US

HONEY BBQ SAUCE, 18 OZ = 12 .50 SR = $3.33 US

KIKKOMAN SOY SAUCE, 20 OZ - 23 SR = $6.13 US

STEAK SAUCE, 10 OZ - 7 SR =  $1.86 US

PEPSI, 7-UP PRODUCTS - 

15 CANS, 150 ML  (5.07 OZ) - 30 SR = $8 US

6 CANS, 330 ML (11.15 OZ) -  16 SR = $4.26 US

LINDT CHOCOLATE BAR - 16 SR = $4.26 US

M&Ms, 180 GRAMS (6.3 OZ)  =  14 SR =  $3.73 US

 

HOW DO SUPERMARKET PRICES HERE IN SAUDI ARABIA COMPARE TO YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS?

LINKING TO - OUR WORLD TUESDAY

SOUVENIRS

TRAVEL TUESDAY

MY CORNER OF THE WORLD

 

Jeddah - Products on the Shelves

Here are some products you may not see on the shelves at your supermarket - abaya detergent and banana ketchup.

 

Saudi Grocery Female Cashier

Jeddah Organic Products

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar - is available in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia - Women's Outer Fashions Changes

My, how times have changed!  While many women in Saudi Arabia still wear the typical black abaya, many women are opting for colors and prints, and some are even venturing out sans abaya altogether nowadays. 

Of course those women are careful to be properly covered - long sleeves, loose skirt or pants to the ankles, and high neckline with no cleavage.

Our World - Imported Food Products in Jeddah

Here are more imported food products found here in Saudi Arabia, like dried organic fruits from Australia and KitKat chocolates.  

There are many brands of hot sauce to choose from too...

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.  

Let's Go Grocery Shopping

Jeddah has ultra modern supermarkets and imported products available from all over the world. 

Every year it seems more and more brands and products from back home can be found here. 

Familiar Brands

Lots of worldwide brand names are available here in Saudi Arabia grocery stores, such as Classico and Newman's Own spaghetti sauce. 

Godiva Chocolate, Chupa Chups and Mentos  aremore of the familiar products found here in the Magic Kingdom. 

Another Sign of Ramada Coming - Vimto!

Vimto is a popular soft drink beverage consumed in Saudi Arabia, especially during Ramadan.  Flavored with the juice from grapes, black currants, and raspberries, plus herbs and spices, Vimto was first invented and marketed in the UK in the early 1900s orginally as a health tonic. A few years later, it was produced in carbonated form.   

Jeddah - Lulu Groceries

Lulu is a huge department store, much like SuperTarget in the US, except with a much larger grocery section.  One can find almost anything under the sun at Lulu.  Their fresh produce department is quite impressive. 

This is just a small part of the rice section, above.  Lulu also has a large deli section with a great selection of readymade dishes, such as salads adn casseroles. 

They also have a fabulous selection of fresh chilis, all kinds, all colors, all sizes.  Lulu's prices aren't bad either.