The UAE meat market size reached USD 6.90 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 8.15 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 1.87% during 2025-2033. The market is driven by a diverse and growing population with varied dietary preferences, increasing demand for halal and imported meats. Rising health awareness fuels interest in organic, hormone-free, and premium-quality meats. Government regulations ensure strict food safety and halal compliance, while national food security initiatives support local production and stable imports. Together, these factors boost consumption across retail and foodservice sectors, making the market dynamic and responsive to evolving consumer needs and regulatory frameworks further surging the UAE meat market share.
Report Attribute
|
Key Statistics
|
---|---|
Base Year
|
2024 |
Forecast Years
|
2025-2033
|
Historical Years
|
2019-2024
|
Market Size in 2024 | USD 6.90 Billion |
Market Forecast in 2033 | USD 8.15 Billion |
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033 | 1.87% |
Population Growth and Expatriate Diversity
The UAE’s expanding population comprising around 88% expatriates from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—drives strong demand in the meat market. This multicultural mix results in diverse dietary preferences and sustained consumption of beef, lamb, chicken, mutton, and veal. The average UAE resident consumes about 85 kg of meat annually, nearly 18 times the global average, with poultry accounting for ~49% and red meat ~26%. Expat communities preserve their culinary traditions, increasing demand for halal-certified imports from origin countries. Urbanization and rising disposable incomes further fuel consumption, especially among younger consumers who frequent fast food and casual dining outlets. In response, the UAE government has invested in livestock farming and modern abattoirs to enhance food security and local supply. This diversity in demand pushes retailers and foodservice providers to maintain a consistent, varied meat selection year-round, making population growth a key UAE meat market trend.
Rising Health Consciousness and Demand for Quality Meats
A rising focus on health and wellness in the UAE is reshaping consumer behavior in the meat market. In the GCC, 87% of consumers prioritize health-promoting products, and 64% actively seek organic options. UAE buyers increasingly prefer lean cuts, organic, grass-fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free meat, and demand greater traceability from trusted halal-certified brands. Premium meat categories like wagyu beef and free-range chicken are gaining popularity among affluent, health-conscious consumers. Retailers and foodservice providers are responding with health-focused labeling, clearer segmentation, and transparency in sourcing. Fine dining establishments now emphasize quality, sustainability, and meat origin. Growing concerns about obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases are pushing consumers to reduce red meat intake in favor of healthier protein sources. This shift is driving innovation in product offerings and transforming the retail and hospitality landscape, making wellness-driven purchasing a major force in the UAE meat market growth.
Government Regulations and Food Security Initiatives
The UAE government plays a vital role in shaping the meat market through stringent regulations and robust food security strategies. With over 840,000 food products, including meat, registered in the ZAD system as of August 2020, the nation ensures traceability, quality control, and food safety. Strict halal standards, hygiene protocols, and regular inspections apply to both local and imported meat, the latter forming the bulk of supply. Under the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051, the country aims to boost local meat production, reduce import dependency, and enhance supply chain resilience. Key efforts include investments in livestock farming, vertical farming for animal feed, and incentives for agribusiness. Public-private partnerships are advancing smart abattoirs and cold chain infrastructure. Moreover, strategic trade relations with major meat-exporting nations such as Brazil, India, and Australia help diversify sources and stabilize prices. Together, these policies make government regulation a core market driver.
IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, product, and distribution channel.
Type Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes raw and processed.
Product Insights:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product have also been provided in the report. This includes chicken, beef, pork, mutton, and others.
Distribution Channel Insights:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes supermarkets and hypermarkets, departmental stores, specialty stores, online stores, and others.
Regional Insights:
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Others.
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.
Report Features | Details |
---|---|
Base Year of the Analysis | 2024 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Units | Billion USD |
Scope of the Report |
Exploration of Historical Trends and Market Outlook, Industry Catalysts and Challenges, Segment-Wise Historical and Future Market Assessment:
|
Types Covered | Raw, Processed |
Products Covered | Chicken, Beef, Pork, Mutton, Others |
Distribution Channels Covered | Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Departmental Stores, Specialty Stores, Online Stores, Others |
Regions Covered | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Others |
Customization Scope | 10% Free Customization |
Post-Sale Analyst Support | 10-12 Weeks |
Delivery Format | PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
Key Questions Answered in This Report:
Key Benefits for Stakeholders: