Food and Beverage trade in UAE exceeds $20 billion

February 14, 2022

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Food and Beverage trade in UAE exceeds $20 billion

A new analysis by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce shows that the UAE’s food and beverage trade grew steadily to more than $20 billion in the first nine months of 2021, helped by growing demand and expanded efforts to strengthen food security and diversify food imports.

Between January and September 2021, imports accounted for the largest share of the UAE’s F&B products trade, or $12.8bn, followed by exports ($4.1bn) and re-exports ($3.3bn). Moreover, from 2011 to 2020, imports, exports and re-exports of F&B products in the UAE grew at a growth rate of 0.6%, 7.5% and 6.0% respectively.

The findings, based on data from the UAE Federal Centre for Competitiveness and Statistics (FCSC), were unveiled during a briefing organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce on the sidelines of Gulfood 2022 in Dubai. The event was attended by Saleh Abdullah Lutah, chairman of the UAE Food and Beverage Industry Group, and 200 participants from 48 countries.

The analysis revealed that India is the UAE’s top F&B trading partner for the first nine months of 2021, as the country accounts for 12% of total Gulf F&B trade, followed by the US (7%), Brazil (6%), Australia (5%), Canada (5%) and Saudi Arabia (5%). Imported fruits and nuts accounted for the largest share of food and beverage imports in the UAE (13%), followed by meat (11%), dairy products (10%) and oilseeds (7%).

Addressing the briefing, Hassan Al Hashemi, vice president for international relations at Dubai Chamber of Commerce, said the growing momentum of the UAE’s food and beverage trade reflects the country’s successful efforts and initiatives to diversify its import and export markets.

The steady growth of F&B exports in the UAE indicates that the country’s food sector is developing, maturing and supporting the national food security programme, he explained, adding that Dubai, in particular, is a leader in using technology to develop the F&B sector and address new challenges and market needs.

Al Hashemi concluded by highlighting the Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s full commitment to supporting companies in the food and beverage sector in accessing global growth opportunities and strengthening Dubai’s position as a preferred food re-export hub.

The data reflects the UAE’s efforts and effective initiatives to attract investment in the food and beverage industry, develop food-related industries locally and internationally, and expand efforts to strengthen food security.

In the first nine months of 2021, ten markets accounted for around 66% of total food and beverage exports from the UAE, with Saudi Arabia topping this category with a share of 17%, followed by Oman (9%), Kuwait (8%) and China (5%).

According to FCSC, the top 10 commodity groups accounted for about 76% of F&B imports from the UAE in 2021 (first to third quarters). Fruits and nuts accounted for the largest share at 13%, followed by meat (11%), dairy products (10%), oilseeds (7%), cereals (7%) and other edible foods (6%).

Food and beverage trade in the UAE increased steadily to reach over $20 billion in the first nine months of 2021, according to new analysis from Dubai Chamber of Commerce. https://t.co/toto5DFRYs pic.twitter.com/KgvW2pLj4c
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 14, 2022