The UAE food and beverage market reached USD 25.6 billion and grew 9.1% in a single year. This growth is driven by a 45% surge in demand for plant-based alternatives and a 55% increase in home delivery orders among younger consumers.
Key Takeaways
- 65% of UAE consumers aged 18-34 prefer healthy F&B options daily
- UAE F&B FDI inflows USD 1.2 billion for production in 2023
- The UAE food and beverage market was valued at USD 25.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% to reach USD 40.2 billion by 2028
- UAE F&B production facilities numbered 1,200 in 2023, employing 150,000 workers
- UAE F&B exports reached USD 2.8 billion in 2023, up 12% YoY
The UAE food and beverage industry remains a major growth engine, driven by strong demand and investment.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Trends and Behavior29 stats
01
65% of UAE consumers aged 18-34 prefer healthy F&B options daily
02
72% of UAE expatriates dine out weekly, driving F&B consumption
03
Demand for plant-based alternatives rose 45% among UAE consumers in 2023
04
58% of UAE shoppers prioritize sustainable packaging in F&B purchases
05
Online grocery shopping for F&B increased to 42% penetration in UAE urban areas 2023
06
77% of UAE millennials seek low-sugar F&B products
07
Home delivery F&B orders surged 55% YoY among UAE youth in 2023
08
61% of UAE consumers prefer local or halal-certified F&B brands
09
Functional beverages consumption up 32% driven by health-conscious UAE consumers
10
49% of UAE women choose organic F&B products weekly
11
Ready-to-eat meals demand grew 28% among working UAE professionals
12
83% of UAE tourists seek authentic Emirati F&B experiences
13
Sugar reduction in F&B chosen by 67% of UAE parents for children
14
Premium coffee consumption up 40% in UAE cafes among Gen Z
15
54% of UAE consumers avoid plastic-packaged F&B products
16
Vegan F&B adoption rate 22% increase in UAE since 2021
17
70% of UAE shoppers use apps for F&B deals and discovery
18
Health supplements in F&B consumed by 39% of UAE adults daily
19
Street food popularity rose 35% among UAE youth post-2022
20
76% prefer dine-in F&B experiences over delivery in UAE weekends
21
Gluten-free F&B demand up 25% due to awareness in UAE
22
62% of UAE consumers try new F&B flavors monthly
23
Alcohol-free beer consumption tripled in UAE since 2020
24
51% prioritize F&B with clear nutrition labels in UAE supermarkets
25
Superfoods like quinoa in UAE F&B diets up 48% usage
26
68% of UAE elderly prefer traditional F&B over trendy options
27
Meal kit subscriptions grew 60% among UAE busy households
28
74% UAE consumers influenced by social media F&B recommendations
29
Low-carb F&B products sales up 31% in UAE gyms vicinity
Interpretation
Consumer Trends and Behavior Interpretation
The UAE's food scene is now a high-stakes chessboard where the winning move is a locally sourced, sustainably packaged, health-forward option that can seamlessly pivot from a premium café latte to a viral-worthy street food delight, all while remembering to hold the sugar and the plastic.
02 · Category
Investments and Future Projections25 stats
01
UAE F&B FDI inflows USD 1.2 billion for production in 2023
02
Projected UAE F&B market CAGR 8.1% 2024-2030 to USD 52 billion
03
UAE government invested AED 5 billion in food security projects 2023-2027
04
Private equity deals in UAE F&B: USD 800 million in 2023
05
Forecasted F&B job creation 50,000 positions by 2028 in UAE
06
UAE Vision 2031 allocates 10% budget to agritech F&B investments
07
Venture capital in UAE food delivery startups: USD 450 million 2023
08
Projected non-alc beverages growth 11% CAGR to USD 7.5 billion by 2028
09
AED 2 billion sovereign fund for UAE F&B localization by 2025
10
F&B tech startups funding in UAE: 120 deals USD 300 million 2023
11
Forecast UAE organic F&B market USD 1.2 billion by 2030 at 15% CAGR
12
Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 targets 25% F&B self-sufficiency
13
Projected HORECA F&B expansion 12% annually to 2027 UAE
14
UAE free zones F&B investments USD 1.5 billion new projects 2024-2026
15
AI in F&B supply chain investments USD 200 million planned UAE 2024
16
National Food Security Strategy 2051: AED 10 billion over 10 years
17
UAE plant-based F&B market forecast USD 500 million by 2028, 25% CAGR
18
Sustainability-linked F&B bonds issued USD 600 million UAE 2023
19
Forecast e-commerce F&B sales USD 5 billion by 2027 UAE
20
Abu Dhabi F&B cluster investments AED 3 billion by 2025
21
UAE F&B IPOs raised USD 400 million on DFM/ADX 2023
22
Projected cloud kitchen market USD 1 billion by 2026 UAE
23
Government subsidies for F&B R&D: AED 500 million annually till 2030
24
UAE halal F&B export hub investments USD 900 million planned
25
Forecast premium F&B segment USD 12 billion by 2030 UAE
Interpretation
Investments and Future Projections Interpretation
The UAE isn't just building a buffet for the future; it's engineering a national pantry with serious venture capital forks, AI-powered supply chains, and enough fiscal seasoning to turn food security into a high-growth export industry.
03 · Category
Market Size and Growth30 stats
01
The UAE food and beverage market was valued at USD 25.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% to reach USD 40.2 billion by 2028
02
UAE F&B sector contributed 3.2% to the national GDP in 2023, with a market size expansion of 9.1% year-on-year
03
The non-alcoholic beverages segment in UAE F&B grew by 12.4% in 2023, reaching USD 4.8 billion in revenue
04
UAE packaged food market size stood at USD 10.5 billion in 2022, projected to hit USD 16.7 billion by 2030 at 6% CAGR
05
Overall F&B retail sales in UAE increased by 11.2% in 2023 to AED 72 billion
06
UAE hospitality F&B revenue surged 15.6% in 2023 post-COVID, totaling USD 8.9 billion
07
F&B market in Dubai alone was valued at AED 50 billion in 2023, growing 10.3% YoY
08
UAE organic food market within F&B reached USD 450 million in 2023, with 14% growth
09
The UAE dairy products segment in F&B was worth USD 2.1 billion in 2022, CAGR 5.8% forecasted
10
Total F&B imports value hit USD 18.7 billion in 2023, supporting market growth of 8.2%
11
UAE F&B e-commerce sales grew 28% in 2023 to USD 2.3 billion
12
Quick service restaurants in UAE F&B sector generated USD 3.4 billion in 2023, up 13%
13
UAE confectionery market size was AED 4.2 billion in 2023, 7.5% growth
14
F&B sector in Abu Dhabi expanded to USD 7.8 billion in 2023 at 9.4% CAGR since 2019
15
UAE plant-based food market in F&B hit USD 180 million in 2023, 22% YoY growth
16
Total F&B outlets in UAE reached 25,000 in 2023, driving 10% market expansion
17
UAE baked goods segment valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2022, projected 6.2% CAGR
18
F&B market growth fueled by tourism, with 8.5% CAGR expected till 2027
19
UAE soft drinks market size USD 2.7 billion in 2023, 9% growth
20
Overall F&B industry CAGR 7.2% from 2021-2026, reaching USD 35 billion
21
UAE meat and poultry F&B segment USD 3.2 billion in 2023, 6.8% growth
22
F&B cloud kitchen market in UAE grew 35% to USD 450 million in 2023
23
UAE F&B market share of HORECA at 45% in 2023, valued USD 11.5 billion
24
Snack food market in UAE F&B USD 1.6 billion in 2023, 11% YoY
25
UAE F&B sector digital sales penetration reached 15% in 2023, boosting growth
26
Fruit and vegetable processing F&B market USD 900 million in 2023, 8% CAGR
27
UAE F&B premium segment grew 18% to USD 5.2 billion in 2023
28
Total F&B market volume 12.5 million tonnes in 2023, up 4.2%
29
UAE ice cream and frozen desserts market USD 650 million in 2023, 10.5% growth
30
F&B industry in UAE projected 9.2% growth in 2024 to USD 28 billion
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
The UAE's food and beverage sector is on a high-calorie growth spree, where even the salads are booming, as it collectively chews through billions in revenue and GDP contributions, proving that the nation's appetite for culinary innovation and expansion is anything but a flash in the pan.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production and Supply Chain29 stats
01
UAE F&B production facilities numbered 1,200 in 2023, employing 150,000 workers
02
Local dairy production in UAE reached 450,000 tonnes annually in 2023
03
UAE food processing capacity utilization at 78% in 2023 for F&B firms
04
Poultry production in UAE hit 220,000 tonnes in 2023, self-sufficiency 45%
05
Number of F&B manufacturing plants in Dubai: 450, output AED 15 billion
06
UAE aquafeed production for F&B supply chain: 1.2 million tonnes/year 2023
07
Vegetable greenhouse production in UAE: 1.5 million tonnes in 2023
08
F&B logistics fleet in UAE: 5,000 refrigerated trucks operational 2023
09
UAE halal certification for F&B producers: 95% compliance rate in 2023
10
Date palm production supplying F&B: 1.8 million tonnes annually UAE
11
F&B supply chain waste reduction: 25% achieved via tech in UAE 2023
12
UAE bottled water production capacity: 3 billion liters per year 2023
13
Number of F&B wholesalers in UAE: 2,500, handling 80% distribution
14
UAE fruit juice processing output: 500,000 tonnes in 2023
15
Cold storage capacity for F&B in UAE: 1.2 million sqm in 2023
16
Local bakery production daily output: 1 million kg bread in UAE cities
17
F&B packaging materials produced locally: 60% self-sufficiency UAE 2023
18
UAE seafood farming production: 15,000 tonnes annually 2023
19
Agri-tech investments boosted F&B yield by 30% in UAE farms 2023
20
F&B supply chain digital tracking adoption: 70% of firms in UAE 2023
21
UAE edible oil refining capacity: 800,000 tonnes per year 2023
22
Number of F&B SMEs in production: 4,000 contributing 35% output UAE
23
Hydroponic farms output for F&B: 400,000 tonnes veggies UAE 2023
24
F&B inventory turnover rate average 8.5 times/year in UAE 2023
25
UAE camel milk production: 45,000 tonnes annually for F&B
26
Supply chain lead time for F&B imports reduced to 5 days avg UAE
27
F&B quality control labs in UAE: 150 accredited facilities 2023
28
UAE rice milling capacity: 1 million tonnes/year operational 2023
29
Vertical farming F&B output: 50,000 tonnes leafy greens UAE 2023
Interpretation
Production and Supply Chain Interpretation
With 1,200 production facilities, 150,000 workers, and a 78% capacity utilization humming along, the UAE's food and beverage industry is a massive, tech-enhanced machine meticulously built not just for output, but for resilience, quality, and a future less dependent on the whims of global supply chains.
05 · Category
Trade Statistics26 stats
01
UAE F&B exports reached USD 2.8 billion in 2023, up 12% YoY
02
Food exports from UAE to GCC countries: USD 1.2 billion in 2023
03
UAE re-exports of F&B products totaled USD 4.5 billion in 2023
04
Top F&B export: Dates from UAE valued at USD 800 million 2023
05
UAE mineral water exports grew 18% to USD 250 million in 2023
06
F&B imports from India to UAE: USD 2.1 billion mainly rice/spices 2023
07
UAE poultry meat exports: 25,000 tonnes valued USD 120 million 2023
08
Dairy products imports into UAE: USD 1.8 billion primarily from New Zealand 2023
09
UAE F&B trade balance surplus of USD 500 million in 2023
10
Exports of processed fruits from UAE: USD 350 million to MENA region 2023
11
UAE imports 90% of wheat for F&B at USD 1.5 billion volume 2023
12
Halal F&B exports from UAE certified: USD 2.2 billion globally 2023
13
UAE bakery products exports up 15% to USD 180 million 2023
14
Seafood imports to UAE: USD 900 million mainly frozen shrimp 2023
15
UAE F&B exports to Africa grew 22% to USD 400 million 2023
16
Confectionery imports into UAE: USD 450 million from Europe 2023
17
UAE vegetable exports: 150,000 tonnes worth USD 200 million 2023
18
Top import partner for UAE F&B: India at 15% share USD 2.8 billion
19
UAE soft drinks exports: USD 100 million primarily to GCC 2023
20
F&B tariff rate average 5% on imports to UAE in 2023
21
UAE pasta and noodles exports: USD 75 million 2023 growth 10%
22
Imports of edible oils to UAE: 1.2 million tonnes USD 1.9 billion 2023
23
UAE honey exports: USD 50 million premium varieties 2023
24
F&B trade via Jebel Ali port: 70% of total UAE volume 2023
25
UAE tomato paste exports: 20,000 tonnes USD 40 million 2023
26
Sugar imports to UAE: 1.1 million tonnes USD 600 million 2023
Interpretation
Trade Statistics Interpretation
In a deliciously ironic twist of global trade, the UAE has turned its desert landscape into a pantry for the world, shrewdly importing mountains of staples and exporting rivers of dates, water, and certified confidence, all while managing to keep its own food balance sheet firmly in the black.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Uae Food And Beverage Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-food-and-beverage-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Uae Food And Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uae-food-and-beverage-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Uae Food And Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-food-and-beverage-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level