United Arab Emirates Red Meat Market Trends & Summary (2025–2033)

The United Arab Emirates Red Meat Market is on a gradual upward trajectory, projected to grow from US$ 762.24 billion in 2024 to US$ 857.21 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 1.32% from 2025 to 2033, according to Renub Research. Demand in the UAE is being fuelled by rapid urbanization, an expanding expatriate population, rising tourism, and a strong cultural inclination toward premium, halal-certified, and sustainably sourced meat products.

At the same time, the sector is being reshaped by changing consumer lifestyles, innovations in retail, and government-led efforts to strengthen UAE’s food security framework. Despite heavy dependence on imports, the market continues to evolve, offering robust opportunities for producers, suppliers, and retailers.

This comprehensive summary explores key market dynamics, growth drivers, challenges, and future opportunities across the UAE’s red meat sector.

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United Arab Emirates Red Meat Industry Overview

The UAE’s red meat sector has become one of the most influential components of the country’s broader food economy. A combination of population growth, culinary diversity, and an increasingly globalized market has elevated the demand for red meat products across both households and the thriving hospitality industry.

A Diverse Consumer Base Driving Demand

The UAE’s consumer landscape is uniquely shaped by a highly multicultural population mix. With 88.52% of the population—approximately 8.92 million people—being expatriates as of 2022, the country is home to a broad variety of dietary traditions. This results in a diverse palate that values everything from beef steaks and lamb chops to Middle Eastern specialties like mutton mandi, kebabs, and slow-cooked lamb.

Tourism: A Key Growth Catalyst

Dubai alone had around 13,000 restaurants and cafés in 2023, making it one of the world’s most vibrant food destinations. As tourists and residents alike seek high-quality dining experiences, demand for premium cuts—particularly beef and lamb—has surged.

International culinary trends also influence this growth. Western-style dining, gourmet burger concepts, luxury steakhouses, and ethnic fusion restaurants continue to gain popularity, boosting consumption of imported high-grade meat.

Import Dependence and Food Security Initiatives

Given its arid climate, limited arable land, and high water scarcity, the UAE produces only a fraction of the red meat it consumes. This has necessitated substantial imports from countries such as:

Australia

New Zealand

Brazil

India

Pakistan

To safeguard the quality and consistency of supply, the government has prioritized:

Building advanced cold-chain infrastructure

Supporting models for commercial livestock farming

Promoting sustainable and halal-compliant practices

Facilitating investments in meat processing technologies

These efforts collectively position the sector for long-term resilience.

Consumer Trends Reshaping the UAE Red Meat Market

1. Strong Shift Toward Premium Quality

UAE consumers are increasingly selective about the meat they purchase. A striking 84% of consumers actively avoid artificial additives, turning instead toward:

Organic beef

Grass-fed lamb

Hormone-free products

Premium international cuts

This preference shift has encouraged retailers to stock a wider range of specialty meats and premium offerings targeted at high-income and health-conscious consumers.

2. Price Sensitivity and Value-Based Choices

While premium meat demand is strong, price remains a determining factor for many households. For instance, beef was 29% cheaper than mutton in 2022, making it a more accessible protein option. This has sustained beef’s popularity among both expatriates and nationals who seek balanced cost and quality.

3. Halal-Certified and Ethically Sourced Meat

In a predominantly Muslim market, halal certification is essential. Beyond this, consumers are beginning to prioritize:

Ethical sourcing

Sustainable farming practices

Animal welfare transparency

Importers and domestic producers are responding by emphasizing traceability, quality assurance, and sustainable procurement.

Key Growth Drivers for the UAE Red Meat Market

▪ Increasing Population and Urbanization

A steadily rising population—boosted by expatriate inflows and natural growth—has intensified the demand for diverse food products. Urban consumers particularly drive growth due to:

Higher disposable income

Exposure to international lifestyles

Desire for variety and convenience

Urbanization has also encouraged the expansion of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online delivery platforms, increasing consumer access to red meat.

▪ Culinary Diversity and Expanding Tourism

The UAE’s global tourism appeal has created lucrative opportunities for food importers and distributors. Tourists and expatriates collectively shape a cosmopolitan food culture that values:

Global meat varieties

Unique cuts

High-end dining experiences

This, in turn, amplifies demand for both premium red meat and halal-certified products.

▪ Changing Consumer Preferences: Health, Quality, and Ethics

Modern UAE consumers are more health-aware and informed. They increasingly seek:

Leaner cuts

Chemical-free processed meat

Sustainably packaged products

Halal compliance continues to dominate purchasing decisions, while rising environmental awareness is driving interest in ethical farming and traceable supply chains.

Challenges Impacting the UAE Red Meat Industry

▪ High Import Dependency

Because local production is limited, the UAE is heavily vulnerable to external disruptions. This dependency exposes the market to:

Global price fluctuations

Geopolitical tensions

Trade policy changes

Climate impacts in exporting countries

Events such as drought in Australia or supply chain disruptions in Brazil can significantly influence domestic pricing and availability.

▪ Rising Prices of Meat Products

Global inflation, increasing feed prices, fuel costs, and climatic instability have caused red meat prices to rise. For retailers, this creates a twofold challenge:

Maintaining consumer affordability

Preserving profit margins

Price-sensitive consumers may switch to:

Poultry

Seafood

Plant-based proteins

Such shifts could slow overall red meat consumption among certain demographic groups.

Boosting Domestic Production: A Slow but Steady Effort

While domestic production remains relatively small, the UAE has been gradually increasing its output. Between 2021 and 2022, beef production grew by 4.98%, driven by a rise in cattle and buffalo slaughter.

2020: 74,638 heads of cattle slaughtered

2021: 76,833 heads (up 2.94%)

This increase reduced the need for importing live cattle. The trade value of live cattle imports dropped from USD 17.756 million in 2020 to USD 5.88 million in 2021, a 65.7% decline.

Still, domestic farmers face stiff competition from imported premium beef priced 150%–180% higher but enjoying significantly greater consumer demand, especially in the UAE’s thriving foodservice sector.

United Arab Emirates Red Meat Market Segmentation

By Type

Lamb

Beef

Pork

Mutton

Others

By Form

Canned

Fresh / Chilled

Frozen

Processed

By Distribution Channel

Convenience Stores

Online Channels

Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

Others

Key Players – Competitive Landscape (Covered from 4 Viewpoints: Overview, Key Persons, Recent Developments, Revenue)

Albatha Group

BRF S.A.

Freshly Frozen Foods Factory LLC

JBS S.A.

Najmat Taiba Foodstuff LLC

Siniora Food Industries Company

Tanmiah Food Company

The Savola Group

These companies continue to strengthen their market presence through innovations in processing, packaging, distribution, and product diversification.

Final Thoughts

The United Arab Emirates Red Meat Market is entering an era of balanced, sustainable growth. Although the sector faces structural challenges—particularly import dependency and rising prices—strategic investments, expanding tourism, and evolving consumer tastes are shaping a more resilient and diverse market environment.

With a forecasted value of US$ 857.21 billion by 2033, the UAE’s red meat industry is poised for steady expansion driven by:

A multicultural, affluent consumer base

Strong hospitality and foodservice demand

Premiumization of meat products

Growing focus on halal, ethical, and sustainable consumption

As the country continues its journey toward food security and sustainable modernization, the red meat sector will remain a cornerstone of the UAE’s culinary and economic landscape.