Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
Total volume sales of alcoholic drinks rose strongly in the United Arab Emirates in 2024, and saw a solid but slower increase in current value terms. The rapid growth in alcoholic drinks volumes in the United Arab Emirates was largely driven by the lifestyle of expatriates and a continuous influx of tourists.
2024 key trends
Although beer remained the leading category in total volume terms in 2024, and maintained strong growth, spirits accounted for the highest total value share, primarily due to the dominance of whiskies in this category. The relatively undeveloped beer culture and the limited number of pubs in the United Arab Emirates contribute to this.
Competitive landscape
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV was the leading company within overall alcoholic drinks in the United Arab Emirates in total volume terms in 2024, closely followed by Heineken NV, with each accounting for around a fifth of sales. Anheuser-Busch produces beer brands including Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Beck's, and Heineken has the Heineken brand in beer, and Amarula in cream-based liqueurs in spirits.
Retail developments
Alcoholic drinks specialists remained the dominant off-trade channel for the distribution of alcoholic drinks in the United Arab Emirates in 2024. As general grocery retailers are not permitted to sell alcoholic drinks, licensed retailers like African+Eastern and MMI account for the majority of distribution, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
On-trade vs off-trade split
The dynamic between on-trade and off-trade shifted again in January 2025, following the reinstatement of the 30% retail tax in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. During the tax-free years of 2023 and 2024, lower retail prices drew more consumers to the off-trade.
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Total volume sales of alcoholic drinks are set to continue to rise strongly over the forecast period, with all categories set to see growth. Despite their already high base, beer and spirits are expected to see the strongest volume growth rates.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Alcoholic Drinks industry in United Arab Emirates with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Beer
- Wine
- Spirits
- Cider and Perry
- RTDs
If you're in the Alcoholic Drinks industry in United Arab Emirates, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty
The Alcoholic Drinks in United Arab Emirates report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Alcoholic Drinks in United Arab Emirates?
- Where is consumer demand for Alcoholic Drinks focussed?
- Which is being consumed more; beer, wine or spirits?
- Where is demand growing? Stagnating?
- How is the operating environment for alcoholic drinks changing?
- Which are the leading brands in United Arab Emirates?
- How are products distributed in United Arab Emirates?
- What are the key trends in new product development?
- Do consumers want value for money or added value?
- How will macroeconomic context and shifting cultural values shape future growth?
- How will COVID-19 and recession impact the alcoholic drinks industry?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Alcoholic Drinks in the United Arab Emirates
Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
On-trade vs off-trade split
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Legislation
Legal purchasing age and legal drinking age
Drink driving
Advertising
Smoking ban
Opening hours
On-trade establishments
TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES
Contraband/parallel trade
Duty free
Cross-border/private imports
Outlook
DISCLAIMER
Beer in the United Arab Emirates
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Expanding demand driven by lower-income consumers and affordability
Strong presence of Anheuser-Busch InBev
Off-trade dominance reflects limited pub culture
New on-trade venues and new breweries will support future growth
Growth of domestic craft beer culture
Innovations in non-alcoholic beer set to contribute to growth
Lager price band methodology
Cider/Perry in the United Arab Emirates
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Non-alcoholic cider/perry sees stronger growth from a low base
Strongbow fuels growth in cider/perry
Drinks specialists dominate off-trade sales, but the on-trade dominates
Cider/perry set to remain a niche category, with some upsides
Greater fragmentation expected as flavour variety expands to attract consumers
Innovation potential lies in the non-alcoholic space
Rtds in the United Arab Emirates
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Dominance of spirit-based RTDs
Success story of non-alcoholic variant Cipriani
Expansion of retail e-commerce driven by convenience
Future growth potential across categories in RTDs
Increasing fragmentation of offerings in RTDs
Innovation through flavour diversification
Spirits in the United Arab Emirates
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Spirits thrives amidst diverse consumer preferences
Diageo leads thanks to quality and sustainability
On-trade captures a high share of value sales
Forecast growth tied to on-trade expansion and tourism
Premiumisation trend expected to persist despite tax hike
New launches likely to reinforce premium appeal
Vodka, gin, other blended Scotch whisky, dark rum and white rum price band methodology
Wine in the United Arab Emirates
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Dominance of red wine, and seasonal consumption trends
Emergence of sustainable wine options
Premiumisation determines the direction for on-trade sales
Future growth likely to be tied to changing lifestyles and product expansion
Rise of non-alcoholic wines amidst health trend
Future integration of AI into wine experiences
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Alcoholic Drinks
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- Ale
- Sorghum
- Weissbier/Weizen/Wheat Beer
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- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Imported Premium Lager
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- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
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- Domestic Economy Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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-
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Domestic Economy Lager
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- Imported Premium Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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- Low Alcohol Beer
- Non Alcoholic Beer
- Stout
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- Regular Cider/Perry
- Non Alcoholic Cider/Perry
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- Malt-based RTDs
- Spirit-based RTDs
- Wine-based RTDs
- Other RTDs
- Non Alcoholic RTDs
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- Brandy
- Cognac
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- Bitters
- Cream-based Liqueurs
- Other Liqueurs
- Non Alcoholic Spirits
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- Prestige Dark Rum
- Ultra Premium Dark Rum
- Super Premium Dark Rum
- Premium Dark Rum
- Standard Dark Rum
- Economy Dark Rum
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- Prestige White Rum
- Ultra Premium White Rum
- Super Premium White Rum
- Premium White Rum
- Standard White Rum
- Economy White Rum
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- Tequila (and Mezcal)
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- Bourbon/Other US Whiskey
- Canadian Whisky
- Irish Whiskey
- Japanese Whisky
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- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
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- Prestige Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Ultra Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Super Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Standard Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Economy Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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- Other Whiskies
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- Prestige English Gin
- Ultra Premium English Gin
- Super Premium English Gin
- Premium English Gin
- Standard English Gin
- Economy English Gin
- Dutch Gin
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- Prestige Vodka
- Ultra Premium Vodka
- Super Premium Vodka
- Premium Vodka
- Standard Vodka
- Economy Vodka
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- Absinthe
- Ad-Mix Brandy
- Ad-Mix Gin
- Ad-Mix Rum
- Ad-Mix Vodka
- Ad-Mix Whisky
- Aguardente/Aguardiente
- Aguardiente De Caña
- Akvavit/Aquavit
- Aniseed-Flavoured Spirits
- Borovicka
- Boukha
- Brandy Type Distilled Spirits
- Cachaça
- Calvados
- Cane
- Chacha
- Charanda
- Chinese Herbal Spirits
- Chinese Spirits
- Cut Brandy
- Destilados De Agave
- Distilled Fruit Spirits
- Domestic Brandy
- Domestic Rum
- Doppelkorn
- Economy Chinese Spirits
- Flavoured Spirits
- Flavoured Vodka-based Drinks
- Fynbos gin/Local Gin
- Gin-flavoured spirits
- Goldbrand/Goldkrone
- Grappa
- Grappamiel
- Guaro
- Kirsch
- Komovica
- Korn
- Lambanog
- Limoncello
- Local White Spirits
- Lower Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Lozovaca
- Maesilju
- Mahia Rabi Amrane
- Mead
- Mixed Spirits
- Nalivka/Nalewka
- Nastoyka
- National Specialities
- Obstbrände
- Ouzo
- Pacharán
- Palinca/Pálinka
- Pear and Apple Distillates
- Pisco
- Premium Chinese Spirits
- Prune
- Punsch
- Rachiu/Rakija
- Rum-Flavoured Spirits
- Samane
- Sambuca
- Samsu
- Schnapps
- Shochu/Soju
- Singani
- Sljivovica/Slivovice
- Steinhäeger
- Strong African Spirits
- Super Premium Chinese Spirits
- Sura Khao
- Tequila Flavoured Spirits
- Travarica
- Tsipouro
- Upper Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Vieux
- Viina
- Vodka Type Distilled Spirits
- Other Distilled Beverages
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- Port
- Sherry
- Vermouth
- Other Fortified Wine
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- Apple Wine
- Bokbunjaju
- Cheongju
- Chinese Wine
- Economy Rice Wine
- Fortified Fruit Wine
- Fruit and Berry Wine
- Fruit and Herbal Wine
- Fruit and Honey based Wine
- Fruit Wine
- Lower Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Non-Grape Dessert Wine
- Premium Rice Wine
- Sake
- Takju
- Upper Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Yakju
- Yellow Wine
- Other Non-Grape Wine
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- Champagne
- Other Sparkling Wine
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- Still Red Wine
- Still Rosé Wine
- Still White Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
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Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.
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This report originates from Passport, our Alcoholic Drinks research and analysis database.
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