Fresh food sales continued to see strong and steady growth in total volume terms in 2025, supported by a growing focus on healthy living, traceable ingredients, and an increase in tourism. While supply challenges remain, the United Arab Emirates is investing in new technology, local production, and trade agreements in order to meet demand and increase its levels of self-sufficiency.

Eggs saw strong growth in total volume terms in 2025 despite a fire impacting the supply of eggs from local player Al Jazira Poultry Farms. Eggs are seen as an affordable and versatile source of protein, with sales being strong in both the retail and foodservice channels. Price controls have helped to keep the market stable amidst rising input costs and these should continue to benefit sales of eggs over the forecast period.

Global shortage of oranges due to unfavourable weather conditions in key growing regions has a negative impact on the market in 2025. Nonetheless, the increasing focus on healthy living continued to sustain robust demand for fresh fruits in the United Arab Emirates in 2025 ensuing the category continued to enjoy stable growth in total volume terms. Moving forward the focus is on strengthening and improving supply chains

Fresh meat remains a key part of the local diet and therefore sales continued to see robust growth in total volume terms in 2025 despite the financial pressures facing many households. The market saw a degree of polarisation during the year. On one hand, price-sensitive consumers traded down to cheaper cuts and private label options in order to make savings. Meanwhile, on the other hand, some families invested in higher quality fresh meat, especially products from trusted, ethical and traceable

Nuts remain a healthy staple of the local diet with sales continuing to report strong and stable growth in total volume terms in 2025. Nonetheless, the market faces growing competition from packaged and processed nuts as consumers increasingly favour convenience and indulgent flavoured options. Over the forecast period, players are expected to focus on adding value through origin and provenance claims, with health and wellness claims likely to remain a key driver of demand as consumers look to r

Potatoes remain a key staple of the local diet while other starchy roots such as cassava and sweet potatoes are gaining relevance as new trends and recipes build interest. New trade agreements and an increasing focus on local production is bringing stability to the supply chain and should ensure that starchy roots remain an affordable staple over the forecast period

Sugar and sweeteners continued to enjoy steady growth in total volume terms in 2025, boosted by the importance of these ingredients in local dishes and well as record tourism numbers. The introduction of a new sugar tax on sugar-sweetened beverages from January 2026 is likely to shake up the market and have a knock-on effect on sales of sugar and sweeteners. As consumers become more health conscious this is pushing sales towards natural alternatives.

Improvements in the supply and production of locally-grown vegetables is having a big impact on the market. This focus on local produce is bringing greater stability to the supply chain as well as improving freshness and traceability. There is also a growing focus on convenience, which is forcing producers and retailers to respond with options such as pre-cut vegetables. Moving forward there is expected to be a growing focus on local produce and private label as consumers look for affordable and

Pulses continued to see strong and steady growth in total volume terms in 2025 with these products being an important staple of the local diet, as well as offering a range of health benefits. Efforts to improve the supply chain and the expansion of private label offerings has also helped to maintain price stability. Moving forward, the focus will likely remain on ensuring stable supplies as well as focusing on convenience in response to the increasingly busy lives of locals.

Improved supply chains are helping to bring stability to the market, ensuring the prices and availability of fresh fish and seafood remains steady. This helped to support strong growth within fish and seafood in the United Arab Emirates in 2025 in total volume terms. Players are also focusing on adding value to sustain demand and fend off competition from packaged and processed products, with an emphasis on clean labels, provenance and traceability.

Concentrates in the UAE is seeing flat retail volume performance in 2025, held back by growing preference for fresher, less sugary beverages and strong competition from juices and other ready-to-drink categories. Powder concentrates is the most dynamic subcategory, while Vimto continues to anchor liquid concentrates through its dual regular and reduced sugar range. Over the forecast period, concentrates is expected to post only modest gains as limited innovation, rising health awareness and comp

RTD coffee in the UAE is seeing a steep drop in retail volume sales in 2025, driven by the ongoing regional boycott of international brands and the category’s non-essential positioning, which makes it easy for consumers to switch to alternatives such as hot coffee, carbonates or energy drinks. The category is further constrained by premium pricing, small pack sizes and limited loyalty, with many shoppers unwilling to pay significantly more than they would for other ready-to-drink options. A grad

RTD tea in the UAE is posting very strong retail volume growth in 2025, supported by its products’ appeal as refreshing, healthier-feeling alternatives to carbonates and their suitability for the country’s hot climate. Still RTD tea is the most dynamic subcategory, with reduced sugar variants gaining fastest as more brands expand lower-sugar lines and health awareness rises. Innovation is accelerating, particularly in carbonated RTD tea and kombucha, where functional positioning and differentiat

Carbonates in the UAE continues to record rising volumes in 2025, supported by emerging brands, improved foodservice performance and the expanding appeal of mini cans for portion control and convenience. Reduced sugar variants show the fastest growth, driven by better availability, their use in alcoholic cocktails and increasing interest in functional claims from niche brands. Over the forecast period, growth will be shaped by flavour innovation, greater product variety across price points and a

Bottled water in the UAE is seeing rising retail volumes in 2025, supported by population growth, broad availability and the dominant role of locally produced still purified water, which remains the preferred everyday option due to affordability. Sparkling and flavoured bottled water show the fastest growth, helped by wider availability, expanding flavour ranges and increased consumption in restaurants and hotels. Over the forecast period, gradual improvements in consumer education, combined wit

Soft drinks in the UAE continues to post rising retail volumes, supported by high purchasing power, a multicultural consumer base and demand that spans both indulgence and health-focused products. Health claims increasingly shape purchasing decisions, although limited consumer understanding gives marketing an outsized role in defining what is perceived as healthy. Sustainability efforts, led primarily by government initiatives, are prompting shifts in packaging and accelerating the adoption of s

Juice in the UAE is recording steady volume growth in 2025, supported by population expansion and a clear shift toward products with higher fruit content and natural ingredients. Coconut and other plant waters and 100% juice are driving the strongest gains, while lower-juice-content segments continue to decline as consumers become more selective. Claims such as ‘no added sugar’ and ‘high in vitamin C are becoming more prominent, reflecting stronger interest in perceived health benefits and willi

Energy drinks in the UAE is recording moderate retail volume growth in 2025, supported by strong youth demand and broad brand variety, yet constrained by the 100% excise tax and intensifying competition from adjacent categories such as sports drinks, RTD coffee and kombucha. Reduced sugar energy drinks is expanding faster than regular formats due to stronger interest in healthier choices and greater brand participation, even though awareness of artificial sweeteners remains limited. Over the for

Sports drinks in the UAE continues to record strong volume growth in 2025, supported by its products’ positioning between healthier hydration and indulgent flavour, which appeals to a wide consumer base. Both regular and reduced sugar formats are expanding, with reduced sugar sports drinks growing marginally faster as health and wellness trends intensify and new entrants such as Prime gain visibility. Over the forecast period, functionality will be a key growth driver, with consumers expecting c

Asian speciality drinks in the UAE is recording modest volume growth in 2025, driven mainly by curiosity, a growing expatriate base and interest in unconventional flavours, although low awareness among local consumers and high sugar content limit broader uptake. The category remains niche, with most purchases occurring on impulse due to limited visibility in major stores and weak integration into routine shopping habits. Over the forecast period, steady expansion is expected as new, well-markete

In the UAE, tea value sales are rising in 2025, although growth is hampered as coffee gains ground and loose black tea continues to decline amid shifting tastes and convenience-led habits. Fruit/herbal tea is the fastest-growing subcategory, as consumers seek flavoured, health-oriented infusions with digestion, skin and relaxation benefits, even though tight regulation limits overt immunity claims. Over the forecast period, tea is expected to remain an affordable staple, while value growth is li

In the UAE, coffee value and volume sales are rising in 2025, supported by a deeply rooted coffee culture, high purchasing power and growing demand for modern and specialty formats. Both retail and foodservice channels are benefiting, as flavour fusions, single-origin and micro-lot coffees, and wider ownership of coffee machines drive a shift towards fresh beans and premium at-home experiences. Global supply pressures and adverse weather in key producing countries are pushing up bean prices, mak

The other hot drinks category in the UAE is recording steady retail value growth in 2025, supported by population expansion, family-oriented purchasing habits and the perception of these beverages as affordable, convenient pantry staples despite sugar concerns. Within the category, flavoured powder drinks - particularly chocolate-based variants for children - are the main value growth drivers, with capsule-based hot chocolate beginning to emerge at a significantly higher price point and adding p

Hot drinks in the UAE continues to post strong retail value growth in 2025, driven by population expansion, entrenched tea and coffee traditions, and higher coffee prices that maintain tea’s role as an affordable daily staple. Younger consumers are adopting more mobile, convenience-led habits, supporting both at-home and out-of-home demand. Local and regional players benefit from ongoing cost pressures, while functionality and sustainability trends develop at a steady but slower pace. Over the f