The Dubai Chamber of Commerce recently highlighted local food sector opportunities at the “Gulfood 2026” event, the world’s largest annual exhibition in the food and beverage industry. Taking place from January 26 to 30 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, this year’s gathering attracted over 410 representatives from global food and beverage companies. During the business meeting, key market insights and trends shaping the UAE’s food sector were presented, showcasing Dubai’s competitive edge as a leading global hub for food and beverage trade.
Significant Growth in the Food and Beverage Sector
In his remarks, Khalid Al Gharoun, Deputy CEO for Commercial and Corporate Services at the Dubai Chambers, noted that the food and beverage sector in Dubai is experiencing notable growth. He attributed this expansion to a strong economy, an increasing population, and a thriving tourism industry. Al Gharoun stated, “Gulfood serves as an important platform for establishing global partnerships and exploring new opportunities.” He emphasized the chamber’s commitment to fostering a dynamic environment that connects global companies with local opportunities, empowering them to expand regionally and internationally.
Impressive Market Data
During the presentation, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce shared data from Dubai Customs, revealing that imports of food and beverage products into Dubai have achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% from 2014 to 2024. In the same period, exports from the emirate saw a CAGR of 4.4%, while re-exports recorded a CAGR of 5.4%. Additionally, statistics from Euromonitor indicated that the retail value of fresh and canned food sales in the UAE is projected to reach $17.3 billion by 2025, with consumer spending on food via e-commerce platforms expected to total $1.2 billion. This segment is also forecasted to achieve a CAGR of 8.5% by 2029.
Attractive Investment Landscape
The presentation further highlighted the substantial foreign direct investments (FDI) flowing into Dubai’s food and beverage sector, totaling $576 million from 2021 to 2025, according to FDI Intelligence data. During this period, investments in the state’s restaurant technology sector reached an impressive $898.8 million. The anticipated growth of retail sales from fresh food products in the UAE is expected to rise from $9.75 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 4.7% projected until 2030. Meat products are expected to dominate sales within this category, with retail sales estimated at $3.1 billion in 2025, alongside a forecasted CAGR of 5.1% until 2030.
Future Trends and Expectations
The data presentation also indicated expected growth in the retail sales of canned foods, which are projected to rise from $7.68 billion in 2025, achieving a CAGR of 5.4% through 2030. Essential food items are set to make up the largest share of this category with expected sales of $2.7 billion in 2025, while dairy products are projected at $2.3 billion with a CAGR of 4.7% during the same period. Furthermore, predictions for carbonated beverage retail sales in the UAE suggest a CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2030, with overall sales projected to reach $4.5 billion. Ready-to-drink tea and coffee products are identified as the fastest-growing segments, with expected CAGRs of 9% and 8.3%, respectively, within the same timeframe.