UAE Cheese Market Overview
Market Size in 2024: USD 450.04 Million
Market Size in 2033: USD 703.57 Million
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033: 5.09%
According to IMARC Group’s latest research publication, “UAE Cheese Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Source, Type, Product, Format, Distribution Channel, and Region, 2025-2033", the UAE cheese market size reached USD 450.04 Million in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 703.57 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.09% during 2025-2033.
Our report includes:
- Market Dynamics
- Market Trends and Market Outlook
- Competitive Analysis
- Industry Segmentation
- Strategic Recommendations
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UAE Cheese Market Trends & Drivers:
One of the biggest factors driving the UAE cheese market right now is the rapid shift in consumer lifestyles, with more people choosing convenient, flavorful food options. Cheese is popping up at every mealtime, from breakfast spreads to late-night takeout, thanks to its starring role in beloved dishes like pizza, burgers, and fusion cuisine. The popularity of eating out, alongside expanding hotel and restaurant chains, is boosting cheese consumption across the board—especially in major cities. The UAE’s hospitality sector feeds a growing international and cosmopolitan appetite, which makes cheese a go-to ingredient for local and global dishes alike.
A second key driver is the strong government support for the country’s food and dairy sector, which is making premium, high-quality cheese more accessible for everyone. Through incentives such as zero taxation and industrialization policies, global companies have ramped up cheese production in the UAE, lowering costs for everyday consumers. Certification schemes like the Emirates Quality Mark also ensure health, safety, and quality standards, further building confidence in locally made dairy products and supporting the UAE’s long-term goals for food security and sustainable industry practices. Recent collaborations, like inclusive cheese factories in Abu Dhabi, showcase a trend toward local empowerment and innovation.
Another emerging trend turning heads is the surging demand for specialty, premium, and health-focused cheeses. As residents become more adventurous—looking for artisanal or plant-based options or tried-and-true favorites from abroad—gourmet stores and hypermarkets are giving more shelf space to fine and functional cheeses. Health-conscious shoppers are seeking out lower-fat, high-protein, and lactose-free varieties, reflecting the new focus on wellness. With innovations like probiotic-rich farmer cheese and the introduction of globally inspired flavors, cheese makers are expanding their product range and appealing to a broader, increasingly sophisticated customer base. This appetite for premium and authentic products is fueling both domestic creation and imports of unique cheeses.
How AI is Reshaping the Future of UAE Cheese Market
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the UAE cheese market, driving smarter production, sustainability, and better quality from farm to table. Leading dairy producers like Al Rawabi are already integrating AI-driven systems that monitor herd health, predict milk yields, and optimize feeding, resulting in higher productivity and early disease detection. AI-powered quality control ensures consistent cheese standards—catching imperfections that humans might miss—while supply chain innovations use AI for real-time inventory and cold chain management, cutting potential waste and losses. With government-led initiatives like the AI Innovation Program providing AED 370 million in financing to encourage advanced food technology adoption, the UAE is intent on using smart solutions to boost efficiency and food security in the cheese sector, benefitting both producers and consumers.
We explore the factors propelling the UAE cheese market growth, including technological advancements, consumer behaviors, and regulatory changes.
UAE Cheese Industry Segmentation:
The report has segmented the market into the following categories:
Source Insights:
- Cow Milk
- Buffalo Milk
- Goat Milk
- Others
Type Insights:
- Natural
- Processed
Product Insights:
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Feta
- Parmesan
- Roquefort
- Others
Format Insights:
- Slices
- Diced/Cubes
- Shredded
- Blocks
- Spreads
- Liquid
- Others
Distribution Channel Insights:
- Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
- Convenience Stores
- Specialty Stores
- Online
- Others
Regional Insights:
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Others
Recent News and Developments in UAE Cheese Market
- June 2025: Abu Dhabi rolled out mandatory “Nutrition Mark” labelling on all cheese products, forcing suppliers to display detailed nutritional data per 100ml. This move pushes both local producers and importers to improve formulation transparency, making it easier for health-conscious shoppers to compare products at a glance. The updated labels will cover everything from traditional dairy cheeses to drinks with plant ingredients, and all listings must meet the new local standards or risk removal from shelves.
- June 2025: AAFG and Finnish innovator FoodIQ launched a joint development partnership in the UAE, bringing state-of-the-art Multi-Layer Cooker (MLC) technology to local factories. The technology allows for flexible, eco-efficient processing for both dairy and plant-based cheeses, with recyclable packaging like Tetra Top®, shrinking each product’s environmental impact. The investment strengthens the national push for advanced food manufacturing and boosts availability of innovative cheese products in hypermarkets.
- August 2025: UAE dairy industry leaders invested heavily in AI and automation, integrating smart farm monitoring, AI-driven herd management, and robotics-enabled filling lines in places like the new Meliha Dairy Factory. These advances cut waste, guarantee consistent cheese texture, and allow for real-time inventory tracking, helping to meet the demand for premium and functional cheeses while keeping products fresher for longer on retail shelves.
Competitive Landscape:
The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players.
Note: If you require specific details, data, or insights that are not currently included in the scope of this report, we are happy to accommodate your request. As part of our customization service, we will gather and provide the additional information you need, tailored to your specific requirements. Please let us know your exact needs, and we will ensure the report is updated accordingly to meet your expectations.
About Us:
IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that helps the world’s most ambitious changemakers to create a lasting impact. The company provides a comprehensive suite of market entry and expansion services. IMARC offerings include thorough market assessment, feasibility studies, company incorporation assistance, factory setup support, regulatory approvals and licensing navigation, branding, marketing and sales strategies, competitive landscape and benchmarking analyses, pricing and cost research, and procurement research.
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