wine markets

UAE ranks in the top 10 best wine markets

The United Arab Emirates has been ranked among the top 10 most attractive wine markets in the world for the first time, according to a ranking compiled by the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

According to the ranking, the UAE market is still mainly beer and spirits orientated, but opportunities for wine are growing.

For example, wine consumption in the UAE has increased on the back of growing tourist traffic and the number of hospitality facilities, including fine dining restaurants, as well as changing wine consumption habits.

For example, restaurants are offering a wider range of fine wines, which is influencing the increase in their value and creating new opportunities for premium brands to enter the market.

The influx of Western expatriates into the region is also fuelling the growth in per capita wine consumption. IWSR tracks the attractiveness of the wine market through its proprietary Compass model, which incorporates socio-economic and market parameters.

In the 2024 ranking, the UAE ranked 5th, trailing the US, Canada, Switzerland and Norway. Denmark, Australia, South Korea, Sweden, South Korea and the UK round out the top 10.

Source: International Wine & Spirit Competition