UAE Frozen Food Market - By Product Type: Frozen Meat & Poultry, Frozen Seafoo, dFrozen Vegetables & Fruits, Ready-to-Eat Meals (Indian, Western, Arabic, Asian), Frozen Snacks (samosas, fries, pies), Frozen Dairy Products (ice cream, frozen yogurt); By Distribution Channel: Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Online Grocery & App-Based Delivery, Convenience Stores, HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines), Institutional Catering (Schools, Hospitals, Corporates); By Consumer Segment: Expat Working Professionals, Family Households, Institutional Buyers, Tourism-Linked Operators (airlines, hotels)
1 | Market Overview
The frozen food market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is experiencing rapid expansion, driven by robust retail development, a large expatriate population, high tourism inflows, and increasing consumer demand for convenience and variety. The country’s role as a logistics hub, combined with a tech-savvy population and high per capita income, is further boosting the uptake of frozen meat, seafood, vegetables, ready meals, and bakery products. Foodservice operators, particularly hotels, airlines, and caterers, are significant contributors to volume, while private labels and e-commerce are enhancing value offerings.
2 | Market Size and Forecast
|
Year |
Market Value (USD Million) |
Notes |
|
2019 |
1,170 |
Historical baseline |
|
2024 |
1,670 |
Five-year CAGR 7.4% |
|
2031 |
3,050 |
Seven-year CAGR 9.1% |
The market is projected to nearly double by 2031, driven by retail modernization, tourism-related foodservice demand, and the growth of online grocery platforms.
3 | Key Market Drivers
4 | Market Challenges
5 | Competitive Landscape
The UAE frozen food market is moderately consolidated, with international food giants, robust regional players, and in-house retail brands dominating in terms of volume.
Market Share Estimates (2024):
|
Company |
Estimated Market Share |
Core Categories |
|
Al Kabeer |
17% |
Meat, seafood, snacks – strong supermarket penetration |
|
BRF Sadia |
15% |
Frozen poultry and processed meals – GCC-wide presence |
|
Americana |
13% |
Arab-style frozen meals and ready-to-eat dishes |
|
Igloo |
11% |
Frozen dairy and desserts – also expanding into meals |
|
Private Labels (Lulu, Carrefour, Spinneys) |
30% |
Budget-conscious and regionalised SKUs |
|
Others (niche and importers) |
14% |
Premium and specialty offerings |
6 | Market Segmentation
By Product Type:
By Distribution Channel:
By Consumer Segment:
7 | Strategic Outlook
Growth will continue through strategic product localisation, smart cold-chain investments, and expanded private-label innovation. Brands should focus on tailored ethnic cuisines, sustainable packaging, and AI-enhanced demand forecasting to build consumer loyalty and optimise inventory turnover.
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