UAE consumer food imports reach $17.7 billion as grocery retail passes $20 billion

USDA puts UAE consumer-oriented food imports at $17.7 billion in 2025, up 9.3 percent, with grocery retail sales above $20 billion and online grocery growing more than 14 percent — demand in the market we ship into is still expanding.

The figures come from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Retail Foods Annual for the United Arab Emirates (Report TC2026-0013, Dubai post, 19 October 2026). Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, UAE food retail stayed on a strong growth path through 2025. Consumer-oriented food imports reached $17.7 billion, 9.3 percent higher year on year, of which the United States supplied $1.3 billion, or 7.3 percent of the market.

Grocery retail sales exceeded $20 billion and grew 6.3 percent. Online grocery was the fastest-moving channel, up more than 14 percent to $1.5 billion, and USDA expects it to reach $1.6 billion in 2026. For the market as a whole, retail sales are projected to grow by nearly 3 percent in 2026.

• Import dependence: a market of this size is supplied mainly from outside the Gulf, so shelf demand translates directly into container demand.
• Channel shift: online grocery at $1.5 billion and growing more than 14 percent favours suppliers who can hold stock and deliver in smaller, more frequent drops.
• What supports the growth: USDA attributes it to tourism, food security initiatives, stronger supply chain resilience and new trade agreements.
• What buyers watch: continuity of supply and documentation matter more than headline price when retail programmes are planned months ahead.

We supply frozen poultry and frozen fish into this market from GACC-registered plants with halal and HACCP certification, health and origin certificates issued per shipment, and clearance arranged into Dubai. For specifications, packing and delivery schedules, write to info@naufoodgroup.com.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0013 "United Arab Emirates: Retail Foods Annual", Dubai post, 19 October 2026.