At Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi, dairy products are taking center stage as exhibitors highlight the United Arab Emirates’ evolving consumer tastes and expanding market opportunities. The event showcased a diverse array of dairy offerings, from traditional cheese and butter to innovative local products, underscoring the UAE’s growing appetite for quality and variety.
The UAE dairy market, valued at approximately $2.53 billion in 2025, is projected to grow to $3.28 billion by 2031, according to market research firm Mordor Intelligence. This represents an annual growth rate of around 4.45 percent between 2026 and 2031. Dubai accounts for nearly 40 percent of the market, with yoghurt expected to be among the fastest-growing segments. Milk holds the largest share of the market at roughly 40 percent, followed by cheese, which benefits from both food service demand and increased interest in artisanal varieties.
International exhibitors emphasized their longstanding presence in the UAE market. Denmark’s dairy sector, represented by the Danish Dairy Board, highlighted brands such as Lurpak butter and Puck products, which have been familiar to UAE consumers for over five decades. Lars Witt Jensen, Head of Export Marketing at the Board, noted the enduring popularity of Danish butter, recognized in many UAE households for its creamy and rounded flavor.
Turkish company Pinar, which operates production facilities in Abu Dhabi and Turkey, emphasized its leading labneh brand in the UAE and Kuwait. Labneh, a strained yoghurt commonly eaten with olive oil and bread, is gaining traction with a creamier, milder Turkish-style variety, according to Senior Brand Manager Özge Çakar Osken, who described the product as suitable for consumption throughout the day.
Meanwhile, Indian food giant Amul, which has been present in the UAE since 1975, has expanded its product portfolio well beyond dairy. Gautam Bhatt, Amul’s Country Manager, detailed the company’s offering of ice cream, chocolates, organic pulses, honey, and frozen snacks sold through multiple distributors. Amul’s cheese is made using plant-based rennet, catering to vegetarian consumers, and its ghee remains a cooking staple for biryani and other dishes. Bhatt emphasized Amul’s broad appeal, noting the UAE is often considered a second home by the large Indian community, while butter, cheese, and ghee also feature prominently in Arab cooking.
The Palestinian brand Al Hidmi, founded in Jerusalem in 1950, presented Nabulsi cheese, a brined white cheese known for its balance of firmness and mild saltiness. Muneer Al Hidmi, CEO of Al Hidmi Cheese, described Nabulsi as a preservation of Palestinian culinary heritage that resonates both regionally and abroad.
Italian Gate, a relatively new Abu Dhabi-based start-up founded by a Rome-born restaurateur, showcased premium Italian cheeses such as mozzarella and burrata from its Montrao supplier. Business Development Manager Valeria Lepore noted the handcrafted nature of these products and their strong appeal among UAE consumers.
Highlighting local innovation, Ali An Farms is advancing the global reach of camel milk through partnerships within the UAE, Europe, and China, including research collaborations with Khalifa University and production facilities in Germany. Hassan Safi, Group CEO of Ali An Farms, expressed ambitions to expand camel milk beyond the Gulf region, offering variants like a camel milk matcha beverage. Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi cited camel milk brand Camelait as an example of Emirati heritage combined with innovation.
The diversity of exhibitors at Global Food Week reflects a dynamic UAE market that welcomes a wide range of culinary traditions while increasingly promoting homegrown products on the international stage.