Dairy Industry in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a significant player in the global dairy market, with approximately 75,000 dairy cattle producing around 283,000 liters of milk annually. Despite the challenging climate conditions, the UAE has adopted advanced farming techniques and relies heavily on imports to meet its livestock needs.

Milk Processing and Cheese Production

In response to increasing urbanization and evolving dietary preferences, the UAE has developed a robust processing sector for both locally sourced and imported milk. This has led to an impressive cheese production volume of approximately 60,000 tons per year, reflecting the changing tastes of the population.

Milk Powder and Whey Production

Given its strategic trade position, the UAE places significant emphasis on milk powder and whey production. This not only strengthens the domestic dairy sector but also positions the UAE as a potential exporter to neighboring regions.

Key Dairy Plants and Farms

Significant players in the UAE dairy industry include Al Ain Dairy, Al Rawabi Dairy Company, and The National Dairy Company. These entities are crucial to the sector's growth and innovation, driving sustainability efforts across the industry.

Significant Market Events

Recent developments in the UAE dairy market include the establishment of the Pure Ice Cream facility in Dubai Industrial City, with an AED 80 million investment focused on local production and innovation. The Al Qou’a Dairy Plant further demonstrates the UAE's commitment to sustainability.

Export and Import of Dairy Products

The UAE is a key importer of dairy products, including 17,000 tons of whole fresh milk in 2024. The country's export capabilities have also been enhanced, exemplified by the export of 90 tons of butter to Russia in November 2024.

Upcoming Events and Developments

Notable upcoming events include The Dairy Olympics 2025, scheduled from April 7-11, 2025, in Al Ain, focusing on global dairy innovation. The Al Wathba Livestock Festival and the strengthening of economic relations with New Zealand through a Free Trade Agreement are also significant developments.

Market Leaders

Al Rawabi Dairy and Hayatna, part of the Emirates Food Industry group, are recognized market leaders with over two decades of influence in the UAE dairy sector.

Consumer Insights

Insights from industry experts, such as Andrey Dvoychenkov at the 2025 Dairy Olympics, highlight consumer trends in the Middle East and North Africa. Ahmed Eltigani Elmansouri of Al Rawabi Dairy shares a vision for a smart AI-powered farm, while Russian dairy exports to the UAE have surged 7.7 times, reflecting strengthened trade relations.

Innovative Collaborations

The UAE’s largest national provider of protein and beverages, Al Ain Farms Group, has partnered with Finnish food-tech company FoodIQ to implement FoodIQ’s patented Multi-Layer Cooker (MLC) technology on an industrial scale. Additionally, the UAE invests in biotechnology, such as camel cloning, to enhance food security and preserve cultural heritage.

In June, H&N successfully dispatched a trial batch of 700 kg of cream and ultra-pasteurized milk to the UAE, marking it as a target market for halal dairy exports. Ecuador is also engaged in exporting rice to the UAE, showcasing a renewed focus on foreign trade to boost economic growth.

Wide participation from the UAE in the WorldFood Istanbul exhibition further highlights its active engagement in the global food market.

Location of the Food Security SummitX 2025

The summit will be held in Dubai, UAE, on September 17–18, 2025. The UAE serves as a hub for Super Foods FZCO's laboratories and a strategic location for engaging with the MENA Dairy Congress. Super Foods FZCO operates laboratories in the UAE where they conduct sensory, stability, and compliance testing. The UAE is also the location for the MENA Dairy Congress, a platform for dairy industry innovation and collaboration.

Modified: 2025/09/13

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