Expanded Usage of Cheese in Preparing Cuisines at Home/Hotel is Driving the UAE Cheese Market

In 2024, the size of the UAE Cheese Market was valued at USD 362 million, and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 4.40% between 2024 to 2030. The factors accrediting to the expansion of the cheese market in UAE are the widespread use of cheese in the preparation of traditional as well as international delicacies.

Moreover, cheese is an essential ingredient in the making of multiple cuisines and dishes like cheesecake, pizza, and others, therefore the preference for the dishes for these dishes is driving the UAE cheese industry. Plus, the rapid urbanization in the country, expansion of the retail and hotel chains, and the change in the lifestyle of consumers have led to an increase in the dine-in-rate in the country. Furthermore, the innovative dishes offered in restaurants and hotels made with the help of cheese further amplifying the market of cheese in the UAE.

Increasing Inclination towards Plant-based and Vegan Cheese Anticipated to Stimulate the Cheese Industry of the UAE

The main source of cheese and related products are obtained from animals, owing to which the individuals who support animal cruelty-free products avoid buying the items. Therefore, to engage more consumers, several companies like Bel Middle East, etc., have started providing vegan or plant-based cheese products.

For Instance, Bel Middle launched a new product range called, ‘Nourish’ in the UAE which is its first plant-based substitute for cheese. The product was launched to target the genZ population that is notably correlated with cruelty-free initiatives, and adopting veganism. Moreover, there are several health-conscious consumers who are gradually adopting plant-based cheese owing to its nutritional value. Thus, the growing inclination of consumers toward substitutes for traditional cheese is expected to stimulate the cheese market of UAE in the forecast period.

Offline Segment Held a Notable Share in the Cheese Market of the UAE

On the basis of distribution channels, the UAE cheese market is categorized into two segments – offline and online distribution channels. Among these, the offline segment obtained a larger share in past years since cheese and related dairy products gets expired quickly, therefore consumers worry about the quality of the product. Thus, they generally prefer to purchase cheese from retail stores, where they get the assurance of the product quality after reading its specifications.

Processed Cheese Observed a Higher Growth in the Historical Year

Based on products, there are several types of cheese are available in the market including – processed cheese, spreadable cheese, hard cheese, and soft cheese. However, processed cheese (excluding spreadable) observer a higher growth in the historical year, owing to benefits such as the extended shelf life of the product, the tempting flavor profile, and processed cheese is employed in regional cuisines of the UAE, and is frequently used in food items because of its distinctive flavour profile.

Therefore, the growth of fast food outlets in the UAE would augment the growth of processed cheese in the forecast period.

Dominant Market Participant in the UAE Cheese Industry

According to the latest report of MarkNtel Advisors, the dominant market participants of the UAE cheese market are: Wassim Sajt Kft, Al Safi Danone Ltd, Gebr Woerle GmbH, Milchwerke Oberfranken West Eg, The Bega Co-operative Society Ltd, Bel Middle East FZ LLC, Frieslandcampina Middle East DMCC, and others.