Milk market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

The UAE milk market volume declined from 543 thousand tons in 2018 to 458 thousand tons in 2019, primarily due to the introduction of stricter import controls. Cabinet Resolution No. 29 established a new monitoring system for milk and dairy products, while the mandatory ECAS trademark registration required all imported milk to be certified before entering the market. These regulatory hurdles reduced import flows as suppliers adjusted to the compliance requirements.

Market volume rebounded to 520 thousand tons in 2020, driven by significant expansions in local production. Al Ain Farms added 4,000 cows to its herd and launched a lactose-free milk line, directly increasing domestic supply. Concurrently, companies like Camelicious pursued export growth plans. However, volume dipped again to 465 thousand tons in 2021 following the publication of updated technical regulations, which introduced new packaging and design requirements that continued to shape import dynamics.

From 2022 onward, the market stabilized around 493 thousand tons, influenced by product innovation and further regulatory measures. Al Rawabi, the country's largest dairy company, launched a local A2 milk line in September 2022, creating a new premium segment. The same year saw the imposition of Value Added Tax on selected skimmed milk products. Ongoing infrastructure developments, such as a new food logistics hub in Dubai and the 'National Ownership' initiative supporting investments like the Marmoom milk plant project, aimed at strengthening the domestic supply chain.

Production milk in the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in the United Arab Emirates grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 257.1 K t of milk, marking an 11.7% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 228.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of milk output in the United Arab Emirates reached 584.9 M $ US, up by 2.9% from the previous year. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 568.4 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 641.2 M $ US. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with an 11.4% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with an 8.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

Milk exports from the United Arab Emirates increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 332.8 K t of milk, showing a modest 2.3% growth compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 74.6%, translating to an average annual rate of 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Oman (25.5% of exports in kind), Saudi Arabia (17.7% of exports in kind), and Iraq (11.1% of exports in kind) were the top destinations for milk exports in kind, collectively accounting for 54.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exported milk volumes from the United Arab Emirates amounted to 757 M $ US, down by 5.7% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 812 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 75.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, milk exports in value terms from the United Arab Emirates were distributed across numerous markets. Saudi Arabia (22.0% of exports in value terms), Iraq (14.5% of exports in value terms), and Oman (12.0% of exports in value terms) together represented only 48.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Imports milk to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, milk imports into the United Arab Emirates totaled 595.5 K t, rising by 7.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.1%, averaging an annual rate of 1.4%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 553.1 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 603.7 K t. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.4% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia (41.9% of imports in kind), New Zealand (22.9% of imports in kind), and the Netherlands (11.8% of imports in kind) contributed the most to imports in kind, jointly making up 76.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border milk shipments to the United Arab Emirates amounted to 1 034 M $ US, representing a solid 13.0% increase compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.1%, averaging an annual decline of 0.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 916 M $ US, and the highest was in 2018 at 1 066 M $ US. The largest drop was recorded in 2019 with a 14.1% fall.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (39.2% of imports in value terms), Saudi Arabia (18.0% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (14.4% of imports in value terms) held the largest shares of imports in value terms, together comprising 71.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020