Required Report: Required - Public Distribution Date: April 06, 2023

Report Number: TC2023-0004

Report Name: Food Processing Ingredients

Country: United Arab Emirates

Post: Dubai

Report Category: Food Processing Ingredients

Prepared By: Rana Tarraf

Approved By: Lucas Blaustein

Report Highlights:

The United Arab Emirates' food processing sector continues to expand, bolstered by strong economic
growth and local demand. There are over 568 food and beverage processors and manufacturers in the
UAE, most of which are small to medium size. The food processing sector not only feeds UAE demand
but is also focused on meeting needs regionally and throughout the world. These firms are almost
entirely dependent on imported ingredients due to the UAE's low production of intermediate,
commodity, and lightly processed agricultural products. Significant opportunities exist for U.S.
companies to expand their business with this growing sector of the UAE economy.

THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY
STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY
 Market Fact Sheet: United Arab Emirates
Quick Facts CY 2022
Executive Summary
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a developed nation with a Imports of Consumer-Oriented Products
federalist monarchy form of government. It is the second largest US$ 12.5 billion
economy in the Arab world after Saudi Arabia, with a Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) of $503 billion and a projected growth 10 Top Consumer-Oriented Products Imports
rate of 4.2 percent in 2023 according to IMF World Economic
Outlook Update. Foreign nationals comprise almost 90 percent Dairy $1.8 billion
of the very diverse population. Approximately 80 percent of the Poultry meat & products $1.19 billion
UAE’s agricultural products are imported. In 2022, the United Tree nuts $948 million
States exported $1.28 billion in agricultural and related products Fresh fruit $946 million
to the UAE, making it the second largest export market for U.S. Beef & beef products $828 million
Agricultural products among the countries of the Gulf Bakery Goods $738 million
Cooperation Council (GCC) and 25th largest in the world. Soup & Food Preparations $671 million
Imports of Consumer-Oriented Products Distilled Spirits $594 million
Tobacco $581 million
The UAE imported $12.5 billion in consumer-oriented products
Meat Products (NESOI) $429 million
in 2022, accounting for 59 percent of total Agricultural imports.
Primary suppliers are the European Union, India, Brazil, United Top UAE Retailers
States, and Saudi Arabia. The market is highly competitive but Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Union Co-operative
there is great potential for U.S. export growth in this segment, Society, Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society, Sharjah
including in dairy products, prepared food, fresh fruit, poultry, Co-operative Society, Emirates Cooperative Society,
tree nuts, and beef products. Al Madina Hypermjarket, Baniyas Co-operative
society, Nesto Hypermarket, Al Maya,
IMPORTS OF CONSUMER ORIENTED Spinneys, Choithrams, Waitrose
PRODUCTS (US$ MILLIONS)
GDP and Population
EU 27
Population: 10.755 million
22%
GDP: $503 billion
Others GDP per capita: $46,768
41%
India
12%
Strengths Weaknesses
Brazil UAE is a modern transit Specialized labeling and restrictive
11% hub for the broader shelf-life requirements
Saudi United States MENA region
Arabia 8% U.S. products are Long shipping time and high freight
6% considered high quality costs
USA brand recognition is Requires dedicating significant
Food Processing Industry prevalent among resources to branding and consumer
According to UAE government statistics there are 568 food and consumers outreach
beverage processors in the country. These factories produce Opportunities Threats
5.96 million metric tons (MT) of food and beverage products Import regulations are Developing rules, subject to change
transparent and not without prior notice
annually, with 2.3 MT in staple food items. This sector relies
complex
heavily on imported commodities and ingredients and plays a Health-conscious Proximity to India, Europe, and other
major role in the government’s efforts to enhance food security consumers with growing MENA agricultural producers with
and self-sufficiency in basic commodities. In 2022, imports of incomes cheaper prices
bulk and intermediate products were $6.7 billion, three percent Expanding e-commerce Market oversaturation and strong
($200 million) of these imports came from the United States. and food delivery sectors branding from competitors

USDA FAS Dubai | Telephone: +971 4 309 4000 |

Email: [email protected]
 SECTION I. MARKET SUMMARY

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a developed nation conveniently geographically located at the
center of the world, with excellent infrastructure to import, export, and transit products to the region and
around the globe. The UAE has low tariffs within the Middle East because it is a member of the both the
Pan-Arab Free Trade Area with the nations of the Arab world and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),
a regulatory and political union between countries of the Arabian Gulf.

The International Monetary Fund projected that the UAE’s gross domestic product will increase by 4.2
percent in 2023 due to high petroleum rents and growth in non-oil sectors. The IMF projected the UAE’s
population in 2023 will grow to 10.755 million, an increase of two percent from 2022 estimates at
10.544 million (IMF UAE Projection Data here).

Due to the major import supply concerns in 2020, the UAE government enhanced its food security
protocols and invested heavily in local food production. The UAE aims to triple food production by
2030; to this end the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority have earmarked $272 million in
investments for agricultural projects and the Dubai government has launched the first phase of its major
food production hub, the ‘Food Tech Valley’. Numerous indoor farms have been launched focusing on
production of fresh perishable greens, some using U.S. technology and inputs.

The main staple food items processed in the UAE are dairy products, legumes, nuts, cooking oil, dates,
poultry, and fish. Other products processed in the UAE include sugar, tea, pepper, eggs, rice, wheat,
coffee, baby food, and fresh meat.

Trade sources state that 85 percent of the processed staple food products are consumed locally, and the
remainder are exported. According to the UAE government, 85 percent of processed staple foods are
directed to retail and 15 percent to foodservice. Ten percent of non-staple food products are consumed
locally while the rest are exported, with 75 percent directed to retail and 25 percent to foodservice.

Major UAE Food Processing Industry by Sector in Metric Tons (MT)

700,000 633,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
400,000 331,000
300,000
200,000 140,000
108,000
100,000 63,000

-
Dairy Products Legumes & Nuts Cooking Oil Dates Poultry Fish
Source: Emirates Food Security Council, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
Advantages and Challenges for U.S. Food Ingredients

Advantages Challenges
Food processing sector relies mainly on COVID-19’s impact on the UAE economy, negatively
imported commodities and ingredients. impacting transportation, tourism, and hospitality.

Potential growth in the food processing Significant competition from Europe, Asia, Australia,
sector and imported food ingredients in New Zealand, and local regional processers due to price
UAE due to a focus on food security. flexibility and lower freight costs.

Preference for U.S. products due to their Lack of interest from some U.S. exporters who are not
safety and high quality. willing to entertain small orders and consolidate
shipments.

UAE is a major trading hub with All imported food products into the UAE must comply
excellent infrastructure and a gateway to with strict GCC standards, including but not limited to,
other countries in the Middle East and product registration, Arabic labeling, and halal
North Africa. certificates for meat products.

All manufactured food products in the UAE New regulations for UAE food manufacturers
outside of a free trade zone are exempted
from the custom duties between the GCC
countries.

SECTION II. ROAD MAP FOR MARKET ENTRY

Entry Strategy

USDA’s Regional Office of Agricultural Affairs in Dubai (OAA Dubai) maintains resources to help
U.S. suppliers stay current on the latest news, trends, and regulations. USDA FAS OAA reports can be
found here: United Arab Emirates | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

U.S. suppliers are advised to study the market to determine if there is potential for their products. It is
recommended to understand the overall business climate, market size and dynamics, consumption
trends, food import procedures, and regulations. After initial market research is completed, it is
recommended to visit the UAE and meet in-person with local industry.

Attending and participating in UAE trade shows is a great opportunity for U.S. suppliers to build
contacts with local industry and meet potential buyers. Gulfood is the largest annual food show in the
world and attended by countries all over the region and the globe. Gulfood Manufacturing is the largest
trade show in UAE that specializes in food ingredients for further processing. The Future Food Forum is
a small but impactful annual gathering for local food processors in Dubai.
Market Structure

U.S. Supplier

Importer Consolidator Trader

Food Processor

Domestic Market Export Market

Food Service Sector Retail Sector

Consumer Consumer

Import Procedures

Dubai is a regional trade hub and center of international exhibitions and events. Around 75 percent of
shipping volume into the UAE arrives via Dubai’s ports. Regulations and registration procedures vary
between each Emirate. You can find more information regarding import requirements for food products
into the major Emirates through the following links.

 For Abu Dhabi: Food Importers Guide, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority
 For Dubai: Import and Re-export Requirements for Foodstuff, Food Control Department, Dubai
Municipality

For more information about regulatory requirements related to the importation and sale of agricultural
goods in UAE, please review the Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report
(FAIRS) and the FAIRS Export Certificate Report.
Distribution Channels

Large food and beverage processors in the UAE usually buy agricultural raw materials directly from
foreign suppliers. While smaller processers may buy from importers or consolidators. Processers of
essential food products focus on the local market while non-essential food processers focus on exports.

Company Profiles and Company Products

The UAE has 568 food and beverage processors, mainly small and medium-sized factories. Most of the
food and beverage factories are based in Dubai (315) factories, with the rest distributed among the other
six emirates.

The largest standalone sugar refinery in the world (Al Khallej Sugar) is based in Jebel Ali Dubai, with a
production capacity of 24,000 metric tons. There are also several medium size nut processing facilities
and three large food oil crushing operations in Dubai. Major exports from the UAE have grown to
include dairy products, teas, processed tobacco, prepared and processed foods, and canola oil. More
information about the UAE export economy can be found at the Ministry of Economy website. A select
group of the largest food processors covering different sectors is listed below.

UAE Food Exports Grow

$4.50
$4.00
$3.50
Billions USD

$3.00
$2.50
$2.00
$1.50
$1.00
$0.50
$-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Company Location Annual Revenues Number of Website

(US$) Employees

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, $3.6 B 12,000 https://iffco.com

IFFCO Sharjah, Ajman

NCC Group Abu Dhabi $1.0 B 5,000 https://www.nccauh.ae/

Unikai Dubai $395.3 M 2,000 http://www.unikai.com/

Masafi Dubai $52.7 M 1,600 https://www.masafi.com/

 Company Highlight: Al Jameel International Group

Al Jameel International Group is

one of the UAE’s largest
importers of U.S. nuts.

Al Jameel opened their new

walnut cracking factory in
February 2022. The new
production facility consists of
two advanced production lines,
including the first for cracking
walnuts and the first of its kind
in the Middle East with
production capacity of 17,000
tons annually. The second
production line is focused on the
processing and sorting of raw
cardamom.

In Picture: Al Jameel International

Walnuts Cracking Facility

Attachments:

No Attachments
Sector Trends

The food processing sector plays a major role in the government’s efforts to enhance food security and
is expected to grow gradually in the upcoming years. The UAE government is investing heavily to
develop and support local processors. Dubai Exports is one of the Dubai government’s platforms to aid
local processors in accessing international markets and provides market reports about the UAE industrial
sectors.

Major Consumer Trends:

 Health-conscious UAE consumers are growing in number and looking for nutritious products
and with clear labeling. Demand for organic, sugar free, and natural products have all grown in
the past few years. Additionally, preference for locally produced products is increasing
gradually.

 However, UAE consumers are becoming more price oriented due to the increase in fuel cost and
high inflation in the country. Shoppers are balancing value for money with product quality. This
trend is expected to affect consumer shopping habits in 2024 and 2025.

 In 2022, changing consumption habits due to the pandemic increased the use of e-commerce
platforms in the region. UAE retailers continue to invest in e-commerce platforms with new
players, such as Noon Daily and Amazon, entering the online grocery retail segment. Online
grocery shopping is a long-term trend and will continue to play a major role in the grocery
shopping in UAE.

 The value of processed frozen food sale in the UAE increased by 32.7 percent from 2016 to
2022 as consumers sought easy at-home options.

SECTION III. COMPETITION

The food processing sector in the UAE depends heavily on imported raw materials due to low domestic
agricultural production. Russia, Canada, India, and Argentina are the main competitors in sourcing bulk
products. As for dairy products, local dairy farms focus on fresh products and face high import
competition for processed products. Some local processing firms reconstitute dairy products from milk
powder that is mainly imported from Europe and New Zealand.

For more trade statistics information, please visit: UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre or
USDA FAS GATs.
 SECTION IV. BEST PRODUCT PROSPECTS

A: Products Present in the Market That Have Good Sales Potential (Unit: US$ million)

Product 2022 U.S. 2022 Total Key Constraints Market Attractiveness for U.S.
Category Exports Exports to for Market Exporters
the UAE Development
Dairy Products $71 $1,859 High competition The United States has a
from EU and lack growing portfolio of high-
of consumers quality dairy ingredients; the
awareness of the UAE imports large volumes of
wide variety of dairy products giving U.S.
U.S. dairy products dairy products great potential in
all sectors

Fresh Fruits $22 $946 Price competition Growing of health awareness

from neighboring after the spread of COVID-19
countries and consumer preference for
fresh and healthy products

Poultry Meat $54 $1,198 High competition U.S. competitive price and high
& Products from Brazil and quality for chicken leg quarter
U.S. packaging
sizes and practices
prevent higher
market penetration

Tree Nuts $489 $948 Competition from Competitive price and high
other tree nuts quality for U.S. tree nuts. UAE
suppliers is a re-export hub for tree nuts
especially Iran for to the Middle East, Africa, and
pistachio and Chile southeast Asia
for walnuts

Source: Trade Data Monitor, LLC

A: Products Present in the Market That Have Good Sales Potential (Unit: US$ million) Cont’d.

Product 2022 U.S. 2022 Total Key Constraints Market Attractiveness for U.S.
Category Exports Exports to for Market Exporters
the UAE Development
Bakery goods, $35 $738 Strong competition Preference for U.S. products
cereals, & from EU and Saudi due to the safety and high
pasta Arabia, with large quality
productions and
competitive prices

Source: Trade Data Monitor, LLC

Category B. Products Not Present in Significant Quantities but Possess Good Sales Potential
(Unit: US$ million)

Product 2022 U.S. 2022 Total Key Constraints for Market Attractiveness
Category Exports Exports to Market for U.S. Exporters
the UAE Development
Dog and Cat $4 $70 High competition Growing number of pet
Food from EU and price owners in UAE
competition with
lower quality brands

Coffee, Roasted $5 $234 Price competition Growing number of

and Extracts from other coffee coffee shop chains in
producing countries UAE

Nursery $2 $148 Lack of awareness Growing number of

Products and Cut of U.S. suppliers hotels and landscaping
Flowers areas in UAE

*Organic $10 $34 Growing Growing health

Products competition from awareness after the
EU spread of COVID-19 and
consumer preference for
organic and healthy
products

Source: Trade Data Monitor, LLC & Euromonitor

*The data available for global exports of organic products is limited due to the lack of HS codes assigned to
organic products.
 SECTION VI. KEY FAS/USDA CONTACTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Regional Office of Agricultural Affairs

Address: U.S. Consulate General in Dubai, 8 Al Seef St - Umm Hurair 1 - Dubai Telephone: +971 4 309
4000 Fax: +971 4 354 7279
E-mail: [email protected]

Host Country Government:

 Ministry of Climate Change and Environment: For information on federal laws, ministerial
decrees, regulations as well as available business services.
UAE | Ministry of Climate Change & Environment
 Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology: For UAE national standards and regulations.
UAE | Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology
 Dubai Municipalities: For issues related to food safety, central laboratory, and accreditation in
the Emirate of Dubai.
Dubai | Dubai Municipality
 Municipalities in the other six Emirates:
UAE | Government of Ras al Khaimah Links to UAE Municipalities

AMCHAM in the UAE and local chambers of commerce and industry in the seven Emirates:

 Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry

 Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 U.S.-UAE Business Council
 Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 Um Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce & Industry
 Ajman Chamber of Commerce
 American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirate