Source : WAM
Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, hosted a business briefing session today on the sidelines of Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest food and beverage exhibition and conference. Gulfood 2026 is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai from 26 to 30 January.
The briefing brought together 410 representatives from international food and beverage companies to review the latest market data and key trends shaping the UAE’s food sector. The session included presentations highlighting Dubai’s competitive advantages as a leading global hub for food and beverage trade and manufacturing.
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.”
The chamber’s presentation referenced Dubai Customs data showing that imports of food and beverage products into Dubai recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1 percent between 2014 and 2024. During the same period, exports grew at a CAGR of 4.4 percent, while re-exports achieved annual growth of 5.4 percent.
Insights based on Euromonitor data were also shared, indicating that retail sales of fresh and packaged food products in the UAE reached US$17.3 billion in 2025. Consumer spending on food purchases through e-commerce platforms totalled US$1.2 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5 percent through 2029.
According to fDi Intelligence data cited in the presentation, Dubai attracted US$576 million in greenfield investment in the food and beverage sector between 2021 and 2025. Over the same period, the UAE’s RestaurantTech sector secured investments totalling US$898.8 million.
The briefing highlighted forecasts showing that retail sales of fresh food in the UAE are expected to increase from US$9.75 billion in 2025, achieving a CAGR of 4.7 percent through 2030. Meat represented the largest share of this segment in 2025, with sales of US$3.1 billion, and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.1 percent until 2030. Vegetables ranked second, recording sales of US$2.7 billion in 2025 and a projected CAGR of 4.8 percent.
Forecasts also indicated that retail sales of packaged food in the UAE are set to rise from US$7.68 billion in 2025, achieving a CAGR of 5.4 percent through 2030. Staple foods accounted for the largest share of packaged food sales at US$2.7 billion in 2025 and are expected to grow at a CAGR of 6 percent between 2025 and 2030. Dairy products followed, with sales reaching US$2.3 billion in 2025 and a projected CAGR of 4.7 percent over the same period.
The presentation further noted that retail sales of soft drinks in the UAE are forecast to record a CAGR of 6.1 percent between 2025 and 2030, reaching a market value of US$4.5 billion. Ready-to-drink tea and coffee were identified as the fastest-growing segments, with tea expected to grow at a CAGR of 9 percent and coffee at 8.3 percent during the same period.
