UAE Food Sector Growth: Dubai Chamber Highlights Opportunities At Gulfood 2026

Dubai International Chamber reported strong growth indicators for the UAE’s food sector during a business briefing held alongside Gulfood 2026. Officials highlighted rising trade flows, expanding consumer spending, and increasing foreign investment across food, beverage, and RestaurantTech activities, underlining Dubai’s role as a regional base for companies targeting wider Middle East and global markets.

The chamber shared Dubai Customs figures showing that between 2014 and 2024, imports of food and beverage products recorded a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. During the same period, exports achieved a 4.4% compound annual rate, while re-exports grew by 5.4%, reflecting expanding trade activity through Dubai’s logistics and manufacturing platforms.

Using data from Euromonitor, the briefing outlined that retail sales of fresh and packaged food in the UAE reached US$17.3 billion in 2025. Spending on food purchases through e-commerce platforms amounted to US$1.2 billion and is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 8.5% through 2029, driven by changing consumer behaviour and digital adoption.

Data from fDi Intelligence presented by Dubai International Chamber showed that between 2021 and 2025, Dubai attracted US$576 million in greenfield investment across the food and beverage sector. Over the same period, RestaurantTech ventures in the country secured investments totalling US$898.8 million, reflecting investor interest in technology-enabled food services and delivery models.

The chamber detailed the composition of fresh food sales in the UAE, forecasting total retail sales to increase from US$9.75 billion in 2025 at a projected compound annual growth rate of 4.7% through 2030. Meat accounted for the largest share with US$3.1 billion in 2025 and an expected 5.1% annual growth rate, followed by vegetables with US$2.7 billion and a 4.8% forecast rate.

Packaged food trends were also highlighted, with projections that UAE retail sales will grow from US$7.68 billion in 2025, reaching a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% through 2030. Staple foods represented the biggest portion, generating US$2.7 billion in 2025 and forecast to grow at 6% annually, while dairy products reached US$2.3 billion with a 4.7% projected annual rate.

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Dubai food and beverage sector outlook and soft drinks performance

In beverages, Dubai International Chamber’s presentation showed that retail sales of soft drinks in the UAE are expected to reach US$4.5 billion by 2030. The category is forecast to record a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% between 2025 and 2030, with ready-to-drink tea and coffee identified as the fastest-growing segments in this market.

Ready-to-drink tea is projected to achieve a 9% compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2030, while ready-to-drink coffee is expected to post an 8.3% rate over the same period. These trends reflect evolving consumer preferences, including demand for convenient products and diversified beverage options across different income segments and age groups.

The briefing session, held during Gulfood 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai from 26th to 30th January, attracted 410 representatives from international food and beverage companies. The discussions focused on Dubai’s competitive strengths as a global centre for trade, processing, and distribution of food and beverage products.

Khalid AlJarwan, Executive Vice President of Commercial and Corporate Services at Dubai Chambers, commented, "Dubai’s food and beverage sector is witnessing strong growth driven by the resilience of the economy, population growth, and a thriving tourism industry. Gulfood serves as an important platform for building global partnerships and exploring new opportunities. We are committed to ensuring a dynamic environment that supports the food and beverage sector, connects global companies with local opportunities, and enables them to expand regionally and internationally."

With inputs from WAM