The United Arab Emirates is the second largest economy in the Gulf region, with expected growth rates above the regional and world average. This country has a multiethnic society and consumers’ preferences vary greatly, with very good acceptance of Western products. Its market depends on food imports, with a growing demand especially for healthy and organic foods.
Therefore, there are excellent trade opportunities in food and agricultural products, particularly for premium meats; innovative dairy products; fruit, vegetables and their preserves; and organic and biodynamic wines. The agribusiness sector also offers remarkable trade prospects through the provision of technological packages and services to improve activities related to agriculture, post-harvest and production distribution.
On the other hand, the pharmaceutical and health sector –which also depends on imports to meet a growing demand–, is emerging as an important hub for re-exporting to other smaller markets.
This report summarises these consumption prospects and the trade opportunities to be explored in the Emirati market, and adds to the series of studies for Asian and African markets published by the CEI.