These days, supermarket shelves in the UAE are seemingly stocked with more soda brands than ever. Declining sales for Coca-Cola and Pepsi has paved the way for local and regional brands to thrive.
Homegrown colas from the UAE and Saudi Arabia now sit alongside nostalgic favourites from India and organic imports from the UK, but how do they stack up? Here’s our guide to six brands that are easily found on shelves of UAE grocery stores and baqalas.
Star (UAE)
Price: Dh1.95
This homegrown Emirati soft drink was developed in Sharjah. It is owned by International Beverage and Filling Industries, which exports to more than 35 countries. They are known for their Star brand of carbonated drinks, which includes various flavours such as mango, lemon-lime and ginger.
Alokozay (UAE)
Price: Dh1.25
Alokozay is a UAE-based conglomerate, with this cola part of its large beverage lineup. The company is most well-known for its tea, although it also has bottled water and soft drinks, marketed locally and internationally. Alokozay Cola comes in regular and diet as well as other flavours such as lemon and lime, orange, apple mint and pomegranate.
Kinza (Saudi Arabia)
Price: Dh2.79
Kinza (Arabic for "treasure") is a Saudi soft drink brand launched by Al-Jameel International, a prominent family-owned business in the region. Introduced in 2022, it is manufactured and packaged in the kingdom. Kinza Cola has rapidly gained popularity across Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.
The product line includes cola, diet cola, lemon, orange, and limited regional flavours such as guarana and pomegranate. Kinza emphasises the use of natural ingredients, aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for local industry growth, and is marketed as embodying regional pride.
Milaf (Saudi Arabia)
Price: Dh3.50
This recent Saudi innovation was launched in December 2024 at the Riyadh Date Festival. Developed by Thurath Al-Madina, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, it is the world’s first date-based soft drink. Instead of refined sugar or artificial sweeteners, Milaf is naturally sweetened with Saudi date extract.
Campa (India)
Price: Dh5.25 (500 mL bottle)
The famous Indian cola brand was established in 1977 after the exit of multinational brands from the Indian market. Known for its nostalgic appeal, Campa recently experienced a revival and expansion into new markets such as the UAE, with offerings in orange, lemon and jeera (cumin).
Whole Earth (UK)
Price: Dh12.50
The company was founded in 1967 by brothers who initially opened an organic, vegetarian restaurant and wanted to contribute to the early organic food movement in the UK. Its sodas are made with natural, organic ingredients, including agave syrup, lemon juice and barley malt extract. They are free from artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
