Kuwait City - Post Report Question and Answers
How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
We never had any issues with fresh produce and groceries in general, but we pride ourselves on being able to adapt to local conditions. Groceries here are maybe a bit more expensive than other posts we have served in, but we didn't find them to be outrageous, with the exception of some seasonal items. - May 2023
You can find almost everything you need and even more here. There is great number of US products from groceries to clothes, home décor, and electrical equipment. There are stores like ACE hardware and Sears. The cost is the same as in the US or slightly higher. There are also local co-op grocery stores and hardware stores. The prices are better there and selection is good but different at each store. - May 2023
Expensive. The local beef (doesn't matter where they say it comes from) all tastes off to me. The chicken is great, the seafood is fresh and good. No pork unless you get from the military base. Cleaning supplies are super expensive, fresh berries super expensive (and go bad in just a couple of days). The paper products are awful, in my opinion. I order from Amazon for toilet paper and paper towels. That being said, you can get just about everything here. Some days they have certain items and some days they don't. I just wasn't expecting to pay three dollars for a small container of yogurt. That said, if you want it, you pay for it. - Apr 2022
Food is surprisingly expensive, particularly berries, fresh cuts of meat (the quality is poor) and household cleaning supplies are available but prohibitively expensive. - Mar 2022
More expensive, but not outrageous. - Feb 2020
Everything is available here. If you cannot find it, Amazon probably ships it. The first six to eight months I used the popular grocery stores, LuLu and Sultan Center for all my shopping. Family of four, with two adults and two small children is usually about 40 kd (US$130) for about a week.
I mainly shop at local co-ops and my grocery bill has been cut in half. We don't buy a lot of shelf-stable products, so it doesn't bother me that I cannot find Hidden Valley Ranch or Kraft Mac n Cheese at the co-ops. I buy meat from a local butcher now, too. You can buy cheaply here, you just might have to go to multiple places and not everything might be there that you want. Or you can go to a very nice western-looking grocery store and buy everything you want in one shop, but pay more. - Nov 2018
Everything is available-there are excellent supermarkets--Lulus, Sultan Center, True Value, Ace Hardware Store. But, everything is quite expensive--think New York city prices for most groceries. - May 2017
In general the groceries are almost double the price in the US. Some things are surprisingly inexpensive, to include some locally grown produce and bread. Almost anything can be purchased here. There is a wide variety of imported items from the US, Great Britain and Asia. Produce comes from all over the world and is frequently labeled with the country of origin. Pork products are not available nor are products containing alcohol. SO...no vanilla extract. No chicken or beef broth. Vegetable broth is readily available. Marshmallows and jello are made with fish gelatin. - Mar 2017
Vegetables, bread, meat are moderately priced. Imported things can be much more expensive. Nearly everything is available including a surprising amount of locally grown produce (compared to Abu Dhabi). Most things are still imported and many familiar brands are available from the U.S. and UK. It's hard to find anything unscented e.g. unscented laundry detergent, dryer sheets, cat litter... No alcohol or pork is legally available to those outside diplomatic missions. Many brands of pet food are available, including premium brands.
There is an Ikea and more expensive options, also. - Aug 2016
Great availability, but the cost is generally higher. Especially if you buy American brands. - Jun 2015
Everything is basically available. But it's EXPENSIVE! A box of cereal is US$8. - Mar 2015
Everything at again maybe a 25-50% premium. Co-ops are local subsidized stores with more reasonable costs but fewer western favorites. With a little looking around you can find almost everything you'd find in U.S. except beer, wine, and hard liquor. Beer and wine are freely available and not too bad, especially the good German-brewed stuff. - Dec 2013
Everything but pork and alcohol is available the local economy. There's a PX about 45 minutes from the embassy, offerring a limited range of U.S products, but most everything is available on the local economy. If you shop at Dean and DeLuca, you'll be in for sticker shock. Otherwise, it is still more expensive than the US, but this is offset tremendously by the super-cheap gasoline! - May 2013
Western groceries are expensive. If you want American and European products, check out Lulu's and the Sultan Center. The embassy now has a small exchange - a Godsend. - Feb 2013
Excellent availability but you pay for it. An example would be 10 USD for a package of Ball Park hot dogs. - Jan 2013
Anything except pork any alcohol can be purchased here if you are willing to pay for it. If you are here with the US govt you may have access to the APO and be able to order most things you would need. - May 2012
If you shop at the neighborhood co-op grocery stores, you will save more money then shopping at the western import stores like Sultan Center and Lulu's Hypermarket. I shop mostly at our local co-ops (Mishref and Zahra co-ops--Zahra is particularly well kept and nice) and once a month go to Sultan Center and Lulu's on 208 for bigger trips and for things I can't find at the co-ops. - May 2012
The cost of food is comparable to the US. - Jan 2012
The Sultan Center has at least 4 locations. They import American products. So if one doesn't have something, you might have to travel to another, and there is a good chance they will have it. Otherwise, their are Co-ops. But remember, imports are 2.5 times what you'd pay for in the States. You can also order from Netgrocer. Just don't try and order alcohol. - Jul 2010
Groceries can be very expensive, especially if you want U.S. products. Everything can be found here. You might have to go to two different stores, but you'll find what you're looking for. - Jul 2010
You can get most anything for a price. I almost bought a carton of Florida's Natural Orange Juice until I realized it was US$15! - Jul 2008
Almost everything is available. It's much like shopping in the U.S.--even U.S. brands. But it is all very expensive. For a family of four, we typically spend US$300 just on groceries. - Jun 2008
