The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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1 | Page UAE – Market Entry handbook The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: United Arab Emirates (UAE): a Practical Guide to the Market in the UAE for European Agri-food Products 2 | Page UAE – Market Entry Handbook Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). This document has been prepared for the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) acting under the mandate from the European Commission. It reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission / Chafea cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 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Project Number: 2018.5601 Title: The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Linguistic version Media/Volume Catalogue number ISBN DOI EN PDF PDF/Volume_01 EB-06-18-191-EN-N 978-92-9478-003-4 10.2818/168202 3 | Page UAE – Market Entry handbook Contents 1 The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: UAE ........................................................................ 9 1.1 How to use this handbook ............................................................................................................ 9 2 Country introduction and overview .................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Country overview: United Arab Emirates at a glance ................................................................. 11 2.1.1 Past economic and political trends ......................................................................................... 11 2.1.2 Current economic situation and mid-term outlook ................................................................ 13 2.1.3 Population trends .................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Geography and key markets ....................................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Overview of urban markets .................................................................................................... 19 2.2.2 Snapshots of important markets ............................................................................................ 21 2.2.3 Domestic production............................................................................................................... 27 3 Introduction to the food and beverage market and consumers ........................................................ 28 3.1 Overview of the food and beverage market and demand for imported products ..................... 28 3.1.1 F&B market summary ............................................................................................................. 28 3.1.2 International trade in F&B ...................................................................................................... 28 3.1.3 The market for imported F&B ................................................................................................. 30 3.2 Growth Drivers and Trends ......................................................................................................... 30 3.3 Consumer profiles and preferences ............................................................................................ 32 3.3.1 Consumer profiles ................................................................................................................... 32 3.3.2 Cultural Sensitivities and Other Considerations ..................................................................... 33 4 Market access and entry ..................................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Summary SWOT analysis ............................................................................................................. 36 4.2 Food and beverage legislation and regulations .......................................................................... 36 4.2.1 Import requirements/restrictions, customs procedures and documentation ....................... 36 4.2.2 Food safety and other food certification requirements ......................................................... 39 4.2.3 Labelling Requirements .......................................................................................................... 41 4.2.4 Protection of intellectual property rights and GIs .................................................................. 42 4.2.5 Relevant authorities for IPR and GI protection and further resources ................................... 45 4.3 International trade ...................................................................................................................... 46 4.3.1 The UAE and foreign trade ...................................................................................................... 46 4.3.2 Key trade agreements, present and future ............................................................................ 48 4 | Page UAE – Market Entry Handbook 4.3.3 EU-UAE trade relations ........................................................................................................... 49 4.3.4 Import tariffs ........................................................................................................................... 50 4.3.5 WTO disputes and other trade issues ..................................................................................... 51 4.3.6 Summary of key trade barriers ............................................................................................... 51 4.4 Operating in the UAE food and beverage market ...................................................................... 51 4.4.1 Logistical services and transportation infrastructure ............................................................. 51 4.4.2 Free Zones ............................................................................................................................... 56 4.4.3 Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 59 4.4.4 Business environment ............................................................................................................. 62 4.4.5 Key operational considerations and challenges: summary .................................................... 63 4.4.6 Other relevant information ..................................................................................................... 63 5 Market Snapshots for Selected Products ............................................................................................ 66 5.1 Alcoholic beverages – general considerations ............................................................................ 66 5.1.1 On consumption and consumers ............................................................................................ 66 5.1.2 On specific market entry requirements and distribution ....................................................... 67 5.2 Spirits .......................................................................................................................................... 68 5.2.1 SWOT analysis ......................................................................................................................... 68 5.2.2 Consumption ........................................................................................................................... 68 5.2.3 Offer ........................................................................................................................................ 71 5.2.4 Specific market entry requirements ....................................................................................... 76 5.2.5 Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 77 5.2.6 Challenges for EU products ..................................................................................................... 77 5.3 Dairy ............................................................................................................................................ 79 5.3.1 SWOT analysis ......................................................................................................................... 79 5.3.2 Consumption ........................................................................................................................... 79 5.3.3 Offer ........................................................................................................................................ 83 5.3.4 Specific market entry requirements ....................................................................................... 88 5.3.5 Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 89 5.3.6 Challenges for EU products ..................................................................................................... 90 5.4 Chocolate and sugar confectionery