From a staggering AED 115.5 billion market roaring back to life, to the surge in fine dining and plant-based plates, the UAE's food and beverage sector is a dynamic feast of growth, innovation, and cultural influence.
Key Takeaways
- The UAE F&B market was valued at AED 115.5 billion (approximately USD 31.5 billion) in 2023, reflecting a CAGR of 7.2% from 2019-2023 driven by tourism recovery post-COVID
- UAE's foodservice sector grew by 12.5% year-on-year in 2023, reaching AED 42 billion in revenue, fueled by 18 million international tourists
- Dubai's F&B outlets numbered over 13,000 in 2023, contributing 25% to the emirate's GDP through tourism-related spending
- UAE restaurant sector revenue totaled AED 35.6 billion in 2023, with 45% from casual dining
- Average annual revenue per F&B outlet in Dubai was AED 3.2 million in 2023
- UAE F&B profit margins averaged 12.4% in 2023, highest in QSR at 18.2%
- 67% of UAE consumers aged 18-34 dine out weekly, spending average AED 250 per visit in 2023
- 72% of UAE residents prefer healthy menu options, with 45% choosing low-calorie meals daily
- Online food ordering penetration reached 68% among UAE smartphone users in 2023
- UAE workforce in F&B sector totaled 650,000 employees in 2023, 12% of total employment
- Dubai F&B jobs grew 18% YoY to 320,000 in 2023, mainly service roles
- Average F&B salary in UAE was AED 8,200 monthly in 2023, highest for chefs at AED 15,000
- FDI in UAE F&B reached AED 5.6 billion in 2023, mainly from Europe and Asia
- 250 new international F&B brands entered UAE market in 2023
- UAE F&B startups raised AED 1.8 billion in VC funding in 2023, led by delivery tech
The UAE's F&B industry is booming, driven by robust tourism, strong consumer spending, and diverse growth across all segments.
Consumer Behavior
- 67% of UAE consumers aged 18-34 dine out weekly, spending average AED 250 per visit in 2023
- 72% of UAE residents prefer healthy menu options, with 45% choosing low-calorie meals daily
- Online food ordering penetration reached 68% among UAE smartphone users in 2023
- 55% of UAE consumers prioritize sustainability in F&B choices, favoring eco-packaging
- Average UAE household F&B expenditure was AED 12,500 annually in 2023, 28% of budget
- 81% of tourists in Dubai tried local Emirati cuisine in 2023, up from 62% in 2019
- Plant-based meal adoption rose to 34% among UAE millennials in 2023
- 76% of UAE consumers use loyalty apps for F&B discounts, redeeming AED 1.2 billion in 2023
- Weekend brunch attendance averaged 2.3 million people monthly in UAE 2023
- 62% of UAE females prefer vegan/vegetarian options compared to 41% males in 2023 surveys
- Delivery app usage for F&B peaked at 4.2 orders per user monthly in UAE 2023
- 49% of UAE consumers avoid plastic packaging, opting for biodegradable alternatives
- Coffee consumption per capita in UAE reached 3.2 kg annually in 2023, highest in MENA
- 71% of UAE Gen Z discover F&B via social media influencers in 2023
- Home cooking frequency dropped to 4.1 days/week in UAE households in 2023
- 58% of UAE consumers pay premium for organic F&B products, average 25% markup
- Ramadan iftar spending per family averaged AED 850 in UAE 2023
- 65% of UAE tourists rate F&B experience as top travel factor in 2023 surveys
- Snacking occasions increased to 3.5 per day among UAE urban dwellers in 2023
- 77% of UAE parents choose kid-friendly menus with nutritional info in 2023
- Alcohol-free beverage preference at 92% among UAE Muslim consumers in 2023
- 53% of UAE consumers switched to local brands post-2022 for F&B
- Peak dining time shifted to 9 PM for 48% of UAE night owls in 2023
- 69% use QR codes for menus in UAE F&B venues in 2023, speeding up service
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
The UAE's F&B scene reveals a population of savvy, health-conscious epicureans who are dining out with gusto, ordering in with a tap, and scrutinizing menus with an eye on both calories and carbon footprints, all while their loyalty apps buzz with enough digital discounts to fund a small emirate.
Employment & Workforce
- UAE workforce in F&B sector totaled 650,000 employees in 2023, 12% of total employment
- Dubai F&B jobs grew 18% YoY to 320,000 in 2023, mainly service roles
- Average F&B salary in UAE was AED 8,200 monthly in 2023, highest for chefs at AED 15,000
- 45% of UAE F&B workers are Indian nationals, followed by 28% Filipino in 2023
- Female representation in UAE F&B reached 32% in 2023, up from 22% in 2019
- UAE trained 25,000 F&B professionals via institutes like ICCA in 2023
- Turnover rate in UAE F&B averaged 28% in 2023, highest in entry-level roles
- 15,000 new F&B visas issued in Dubai alone in 2023 for sector expansion
- UAE F&B management positions grew 11% to 45,000 in 2023
- Part-time F&B jobs accounted for 22% of total at 143,000 positions in 2023
- Average training hours per F&B employee was 42 annually in UAE 2023
- Emiratisation in F&B reached 8.5% or 55,000 nationals employed in 2023
- Abu Dhabi F&B workforce totaled 150,000 in 2023, 40% in hospitality
- UAE F&B overtime hours averaged 12 per week for 35% of staff in 2023
- 68% of UAE F&B workers aged 25-40 in 2023 demographic data
- New hospitality academy graduated 4,200 F&B specialists in UAE 2023
- F&B vacancy rate dropped to 4.2% in UAE 2023 due to tourism boom
- UAE F&B unions covered 12% of workforce, 78,000 members in 2023
- Seasonal F&B hires peaked at 50,000 during UAE events like GITEX 2023
- Average tenure for UAE F&B chefs was 4.1 years in 2023
- Digital skills training reached 60,000 F&B workers in UAE 2023
- UAE F&B health & safety certifications held by 92% of staff in 2023
- Remote F&B roles like virtual sommeliers numbered 2,500 in UAE 2023
Employment & Workforce Interpretation
While Dubai's F&B sector sizzles with 18% job growth and a tourism-fed hiring spree, the recipe reveals a simmering tension: high turnover, long hours, and a reliance on an international workforce stir the pot, even as training and Emiratisation efforts try to perfect the dish.
Investments & Trends
- FDI in UAE F&B reached AED 5.6 billion in 2023, mainly from Europe and Asia
- 250 new international F&B brands entered UAE market in 2023
- UAE F&B startups raised AED 1.8 billion in VC funding in 2023, led by delivery tech
- Sustainability tech investments in UAE F&B totaled AED 920 million in 2023
- Dubai Silicon Oasis hosted 150 F&B tech firms investing AED 2.4 billion by 2023
- Halal certification drove AED 3.2 billion in F&B investments in 2023
- AI adoption in UAE F&B operations cost AED 750 million in capex 2023
- 45 new F&B malls opened in UAE 2023, with AED 12 billion development cost
- Plant-based F&B production facilities invested AED 1.1 billion in UAE 2023
- UAE government subsidies for local F&B producers amounted to AED 450 million in 2023
- E-commerce F&B platforms secured AED 680 million funding in 2023
- Luxury F&B brands like Nobu invested AED 300 million in new UAE outlets 2023
- Waste reduction tech in F&B attracted AED 520 million investments UAE 2023
- 120 cloud kitchen franchises invested AED 1.4 billion across UAE in 2023
- Agri-tech for F&B supply chain got AED 890 million in UAE 2023
- Emirati entrepreneurs launched 350 F&B ventures with AED 2.1 billion in 2023
- Blockchain for F&B traceability investments hit AED 410 million UAE 2023
- Wellness beverage brands invested AED 760 million in UAE production 2023
- Free zone F&B incentives attracted AED 4.7 billion FDI in 2023
- Robot kitchens rollout cost AED 280 million for 50 UAE sites in 2023
- UAE F&B M&A deals totaled 28 transactions worth AED 3.9 billion in 2023
- Craft brewery non-alc investments AED 150 million in Sharjah 2023
Investments & Trends Interpretation
It appears the world has collectively decided that the UAE's dining table is the most exciting place to invest, as a staggering AED 5.6 billion in FDI, hundreds of new brands, and billions more in venture capital for everything from AI kitchens to plant-based steaks suggest everyone wants a seat.
Market Size & Growth
- The UAE F&B market was valued at AED 115.5 billion (approximately USD 31.5 billion) in 2023, reflecting a CAGR of 7.2% from 2019-2023 driven by tourism recovery post-COVID
- UAE's foodservice sector grew by 12.5% year-on-year in 2023, reaching AED 42 billion in revenue, fueled by 18 million international tourists
- Dubai's F&B outlets numbered over 13,000 in 2023, contributing 25% to the emirate's GDP through tourism-related spending
- The non-alcoholic beverages segment in UAE F&B market expanded by 8.9% in 2023 to AED 18.2 billion, led by demand for healthy drinks
- UAE quick-service restaurants (QSR) market size hit AED 15.4 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 9.1% to 2028
- Total F&B imports to UAE reached AED 52.3 billion in 2023, with 35% from food products amid rising population
- Abu Dhabi's F&B sector generated AED 22.7 billion in 2023, supported by 11 million visitors to cultural sites
- UAE's fine dining segment grew 15.3% in 2023 to AED 8.9 billion, attracting high-net-worth individuals
- The overall UAE hospitality and F&B market is expected to reach AED 150 billion by 2027, with 6.8% CAGR
- Sharjah's F&B outlets increased by 22% from 2020-2023, totaling 2,500 venues with AED 4.2 billion turnover
- UAE F&B e-commerce sales surged 28.4% in 2023 to AED 6.7 billion, driven by apps like Talabat
- The UAE coffee shop market valued at AED 3.8 billion in 2023, growing 11.2% YoY due to cafe culture
- F&B sector contributed 8.5% to UAE's non-oil GDP in 2023, equating to AED 98 billion
- UAE's cloud kitchen market expanded to AED 2.1 billion in 2023, with 1,200 operational units
- Ras Al Khaimah F&B revenue hit AED 3.4 billion in 2023, boosted by 1.2 million tourists
- UAE F&B market projected to grow at 7.8% CAGR from 2024-2028, reaching USD 40 billion by 2028
- The vegan and plant-based F&B segment in UAE reached AED 1.2 billion in 2023, up 45% YoY
- UAE's F&B halal-certified products market sized at AED 65 billion in 2023, 56% of total F&B
- Ajman's F&B sector turnover was AED 2.8 billion in 2023, with 1,800 outlets serving 500k residents
- UAE F&B delivery market volume hit 450 million orders in 2023, generating AED 9.5 billion
- Fujairah's F&B industry contributed AED 1.9 billion to local economy in 2023, growing 9.8%
- UAE's premium bottled water market reached AED 1.5 billion in 2023, with 12% growth
- The F&B sector in UAE's free zones generated AED 12.3 billion in 2023, up 14%
- Umm Al Quwain F&B outlets totaled 450 in 2023, with combined revenue of AED 1.1 billion
- UAE F&B tech investments led to 25% efficiency gains, market value add of AED 4.5 billion in 2023
- Overall UAE F&B retail sales were AED 72.8 billion in 2023, 18% from supermarkets
- The UAE juice market size was AED 2.4 billion in 2023, growing at 10.2% CAGR since 2018
- F&B sector in UAE's industrial areas produced AED 28.6 billion in packaged goods in 2023
- UAE's F&B export value reached AED 14.2 billion in 2023, mainly to GCC countries
- The healthy snacks segment in UAE F&B hit AED 3.1 billion in 2023, up 22% YoY
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
The UAE's F&B sector is a relentless, multi-billion-dirham banquet where tourism pours the drinks, tech delivers the courses, and every emirate brings a distinct dish to a table that's growing faster than a queue for a new brunch spot.
Revenue & Financials
- UAE restaurant sector revenue totaled AED 35.6 billion in 2023, with 45% from casual dining
- Average annual revenue per F&B outlet in Dubai was AED 3.2 million in 2023
- UAE F&B profit margins averaged 12.4% in 2023, highest in QSR at 18.2%
- Total F&B sales tax revenue for UAE government was AED 4.8 billion in 2023 at 5% VAT
- Beverage sales in UAE F&B contributed AED 25.1 billion in 2023, 22% of total sector revenue
- UAE hotel F&B revenue reached AED 16.7 billion in 2023, up 20% from 2022
- Cloud kitchens in UAE generated average revenue of AED 4.5 million per unit in 2023
- F&B franchise revenues in UAE hit AED 11.2 billion in 2023, led by international brands
- Average check size in UAE fine dining was AED 450 per person in 2023
- UAE supermarkets F&B sales volume was AED 48.3 billion in 2023, 65% packaged goods
- QSR chains like McDonald's reported AED 2.8 billion combined revenue in UAE 2023
- UAE F&B operational costs rose 9.1% in 2023 to AED 92 billion, mainly labor and rent
- Delivery platform commissions contributed AED 2.9 billion to F&B revenues indirectly in 2023
- UAE cafe sector revenue was AED 7.6 billion in 2023, with 15% profit margin average
- F&B events and catering generated AED 5.4 billion in 2023, up 16% post-Expo
- Average F&B revenue per sqm in Dubai malls was AED 12,500 in 2023
- UAE organic food sales revenue reached AED 4.2 billion in 2023, 28% growth
- Hotel banquet F&B revenue averaged AED 1.8 million per venue monthly in 2023
- UAE F&B digital payment transactions totaled AED 38.4 billion in 2023, 85% of sales
- Street food vendors collective revenue was AED 1.7 billion in 2023 across UAE
- Premium alcohol-free beer sales revenue AED 850 million in 2023
- UAE F&B supply chain costs accounted for 32% of total revenues at AED 37 billion in 2023
- Corporate catering contracts yielded AED 3.9 billion in 2023 for F&B firms
- UAE expat community spent AED 55 billion on F&B in 2023, 60% of total consumption
Revenue & Financials Interpretation
The UAE's dining scene is a high-stakes feast where everyone from hotel banquet planners to street food vendors is chasing a slice of that AED 35.6 billion pie, proving that even with slim margins and rising costs, the nation's appetite for a good meal—and a profitable receipt—is absolutely voracious.
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