Dairy Industry in the United Arab Emirates

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production

The UAE supports approximately 75,000 dairy cattle, producing around 283,000 liters of milk annually. Given the challenging climate, the country employs advanced farming techniques and relies on imports to supplement its livestock needs.

Milk Processing and Cheese Production

The UAE's dairy industry processes both locally sourced and imported milk, producing a wide range of dairy products. The growing urbanization and changing dietary preferences have driven cheese production to an estimated 60,000 tons per year, reflecting the evolving tastes of the UAE population.

Milk Powder and Whey Production

With its strategic trade position, the UAE emphasizes milk powder and whey production, bolstering its domestic dairy sector and positioning itself 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, all of which contribute to the sector's growth and evolution.

Significant Market Events

A major development is the establishment of the Pure Ice Cream facility in Dubai Industrial City, with an AED 80 million investment aimed at local production and innovation. Another is the Al Qou’a Dairy Plant, highlighting the UAE's commitment to sustainability in its dairy sector.

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. Export capabilities have been enhanced, with 90 tons of butter exported to Russia in November 2024, showcasing the country's growing international reach.

Upcoming Events and Developments

The Dairy Olympics 2025: Scheduled from April 7-11, 2025, in Al Ain, focusing on global dairy innovation.
Al Wathba Livestock Festival: Running until January 28, accompanying the Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award.
Free Trade Agreement: Strengthening economic relations and trade with New Zealand.
Gulfood Trade Show: Hosted in Dubai, highlighting halal export standards for British dairy products.

Market Leaders

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

Consumer Insights

Insights from 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, positioning the UAE as a pioneer in food-tech adoption. The UAE is also investing in biotechnology, such as camel cloning, to strengthen 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.

Modified: 2025/05/18