United Arab Emirates

Retail demand for frozen processed vegetables continues to rise in 2023, driven by consumer perceptions that this format offers convenience and is an easy-to-prepare alternative to fresh vegetables. It takes less preparation time, since frozen…

The United Arab Emirates has been following a policy of economic diversification, and has continued to build the country as a tourism, retail, and lifestyle destination, which has contributed to the growth of health and wellness soft drinks. The…

Processed fruit and vegetables packaging was back recording positive growth in its unit volumes in 2022. This followed a year in which demand had slipped into decline in 2021, perhaps due to the spike in the growth rate seen in 2020 due to the…

The vast majority of consumers typically consume dairy products, but as the health and wellness trend spreads across the country, a niche segment of the population has shown an increasing preference for plant-based foods. Hence, plant-based dairy has…

With milk formula accounting for almost half of baby food packaging unit volumes, and metal tins the dominant pack type in milk formula, this packaging format therefore remains the leading one in overall baby food, given metal tins also has a…

Retail current value sales of premium and luxury cars increased by 8% to AED15.5 billion in 2023, due to demand from higher-income consumers, whose expenditure proved resilient in the face of macroeconomic headwinds. Demand for premium and luxury…

Many residents in the United Arab Emirates lead fast-paced lives, in which ready-to-drink shakes and meal replacement bars provide a quick and convenient way for people to manage their weight due to their pre-packaged format; this is set to drive…

The majority of the local population in the United Arab Emirates abstains from the consumption of alcohol as per the tenets of Islam. As a result, apart from local consumption of non-alcoholic offerings, mostly non-alcoholic beer, the nation’s…

One of Western Europe's leading home laundry appliance brands, Beko, has introduced an eco-friendly line to promote sustainable living to consumers. Aligned with the brand’s sustainability mission, the range claims to offer reliability, high…

Although there are many initiatives to reduce sugar consumption, demand for sugar and sweeteners continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates. Sweets and desserts are culturally important in the United Arab Emirates, as they are often associated…

Awareness of healthy eating is rising in the country, especially the need to reduce sugar intake. For instance, in December 2019, the United Arab Emirates adopted an excise tax of 50% on beverages with high sugar or sweetener content to improve the…

The increasing demand for multifunctional appliances in the United Arab Emirates is being driven by several key factors. Notably, the rising interest in health-conscious cooking, combined with the need to optimise limited kitchen space, is propelling…

Despite economic variables, such as inflation and fluctuations in the housing market, demand for food preparation appliances remains resilient. While these factors can influence consumer spending, innovative product offerings and changing consumer…

Apparel and footwear in the United Arab Emirates continues to record a strong performance in current value growth terms, building on the strong momentum it gained in 2022 when sales surged due to pent-up demand resulting from the pandemic. Amid…

Since the pandemic, a rise has been seen in the number of consumers seeking active and healthy lifestyles, amidst the hybrid work model. Consumers have become more aware of and conscious of their food intake, and many are willing to spend on organic…

Consumer preferences in the United Arab Emirates are shifting, presenting challenges for desktops as the latter continues to post declines. These devices are likely to experience a further drop in demand in the coming years, attributed to factors…

While retail volume growth of large cooking appliances is slowing in 2023, higher current value growth is primarily being influenced by surging commodity prices driven by high inflation rates. As a result, local consumers are either deferring their…

The United Arab Emirates continues its journey towards a cashless society, with the continued adoption of digital payment solutions, contactless cards, and the emergence of supplementary payment platforms or solutions in pre-paid cards that support…

The United Arab Emirates has banned the export and re-export of rice for four months starting from the end of July. However, the suspension could be automatically renewed. The suspension has been imposed on non-basmati white rice originating from…

The health and wellness industry continues to grow in importance post-pandemic as consumers become more aware of the negative health impact of processed foods, seeking healthier foods and beverages from a range of claims such as natural, organic,…