United Arab Emirates (UAE) Frozen Ready Meals Market Overview, 2029

The UAE ready meals market has evolved significantly over the past few decades, reflecting broader economic and social changes within the region. The market's roots can be traced back to the 1990s, a period marked by rapid urbanization and an influx of expatriates, which increased the demand for convenient food options. Initially, ready meals were limited and primarily imported, catering to the expatriate community and the affluent local population. However, as the market matured, local producers began to emerge, offering a wider variety of culturally diverse options to meet the tastes of the UAE’s cosmopolitan population. The UAE ready meals market is facing the major challenges like balancing convenience with the health and dietary preferences of consumers. There is a growing awareness and demand for healthier, preservative-free options, which can be difficult to produce at scale. The high temperatures and humidity in the UAE pose logistical challenges for the storage and distribution of ready meals, necessitating robust cold chain infrastructure. Market competition is also fierce, with both local and international brands vying for consumer attention in a relatively small but affluent market. Regulation of the ready meals market in the UAE is stringent, aimed at ensuring food safety and quality. The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) plays a pivotal role, setting comprehensive standards for food products, including ready meals. This includes regulations on labeling, nutritional content, and permissible additives, as well as strict guidelines for hygiene practices in food production and handling. According to the research report "UAE Frozen Potato Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the UAE frozen potato market is anticipated to grow at more than 6.9% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. Several factors drive the ready meals market in the UAE, each contributing to its dynamic growth and evolving nature. One key factor is the rapid urbanization and the resulting busy lifestyles of residents. As the UAE continues to develop its cities and attract a diverse expatriate workforce, the demand for convenient and quick meal solutions has surged. This is particularly evident among young professionals and dual-income households who seek time-saving food options without compromising on quality and variety. Another significant factor is the cultural diversity within the UAE, which has shaped consumer preferences and led to a broad range of ready meal offerings. The market caters to a multicultural population, including Western, Asian, Middle Eastern, and local Emirati cuisines, ensuring that there is something for everyone. This diversity not only broadens the market appeal but also encourages innovation among producers who strive to meet varied tastes and dietary needs. Health and wellness trends also play a crucial role in shaping the ready meals market. There is an increasing consumer demand for healthier, organic, and preservative-free options, prompting manufacturers to reformulate their products to align with these preferences. This shift is driven by a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition and a desire for balanced diets, even in convenient meal formats. Advancements in food technology and packaging have significantly impacted the market. Innovations in packaging materials and techniques have improved the shelf life and quality of ready meals, making them more appealing to consumers. Enhanced food safety measures and cold chain logistics have also facilitated the distribution of these meals across the UAE, ensuring they remain fresh and safe to consume.

The frozen ready meals market in the UAE is marked by several interesting trends and facts, particularly in the categories of frozen vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. The rising popularity of frozen vegetarian meals is partly driven by an increasing awareness of health and sustainability issues. Many consumers are opting for plant-based diets, leading to a diverse array of frozen vegetarian options that include not just traditional vegetable dishes but also innovative meat substitutes made from soy, peas, and other plant-based proteins. This trend is further bolstered by the presence of a significant expatriate population from countries with strong vegetarian culinary traditions, such as India, which influences market offerings and consumer preferences. On the other hand, frozen non-vegetarian meals continue to dominate the market, reflecting the traditional preferences for meat-based diets in the UAE. These meals range from Western-style dishes, such as pizzas and lasagnas, to Middle Eastern favorites like kebabs and biryanis, ensuring a broad appeal. The convenience of having high-quality, ready-to-eat meat dishes that retain their flavor and texture even after freezing is a significant draw for busy consumers. Additionally, advancements in freezing technology and packaging have allowed for the preservation of the nutritional value and taste of these non-vegetarian meals, making them an attractive option for many. Another interesting fact is the increasing fusion of global flavors in both frozen vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. This fusion reflects the UAE’s cosmopolitan nature, with manufacturers creating products that combine elements from different cuisines, catering to adventurous eaters looking for variety and new culinary experiences. Furthermore, the inclusion of halal-certified frozen meals is a crucial factor in the UAE market, ensuring that products meet the dietary requirements of the Muslim majority population. The frozen ready meals market in the UAE is distinguished by a variety of product types, each catering to different consumer needs and preferences. Frozen meals, which constitute a significant portion of the market, are favored for their convenience and long shelf life. These meals, which include a wide range of options from pizzas and pasta to traditional Middle Eastern dishes, are popular due to their ability to maintain taste and nutritional value through advanced freezing technologies. Canned ready meals, while less prevalent than frozen options, offer another layer of convenience and shelf stability. These meals are particularly appealing for their portability and ease of storage, making them a staple for consumers seeking quick meal solutions that do not require refrigeration. Canned meals often feature soups, stews, and curries, providing hearty and satisfying options that can be easily heated and consumed. Chilled ready meals occupy a niche yet growing segment of the market, emphasizing freshness and quality. These meals are typically stored at refrigeration temperatures and have a shorter shelf life compared to frozen and canned counterparts. Chilled meals appeal to health-conscious consumers who prioritize fresh ingredients and minimal processing. They often include salads, sandwiches, and gourmet ready-to-eat dishes that cater to on-the-go lifestyles and provide a balance between convenience and health. Dried ready meals, though less common, offer unique advantages such as portability and long-term storage without the need for refrigeration. These meals include options like instant noodles, dried soups, and meal kits that require the addition of hot water. They are particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts and individuals seeking lightweight, non-perishable meal options. The UAE’s expatriate population, which includes many residents accustomed to dried meals from their home countries, further fuels demand in this category. The primary sales channels for ready meals in the UAE, offering a wide range of products under one roof. Major chains like Carrefour, Spinneys, and Lulu Hypermarket dominate the market, providing extensive sections dedicated to frozen, chilled, canned, and dried ready meals. These stores attract a diverse customer base by offering both international and locally produced ready meal options. The supermarkets and hypermarkets are strategically located in urban areas and are frequented by residents for their weekly shopping needs, making them a convenient option for purchasing ready meals. Smaller convenience stores, such as those found in petrol stations, residential neighborhoods, and malls, also contribute significantly to the ready meals market. These stores cater to consumers looking for quick meal solutions, particularly targeting those with busy lifestyles who need to grab meals on the go. The rise of e-commerce has significantly impacted the ready meals market in the UAE. Online grocery stores such as Instashop, el Grocer, and the online services of traditional supermarkets provide consumers with the convenience of ordering ready meals from the comfort of their homes. These platforms offer a vast array of ready meals, detailed product descriptions, and user reviews, enhancing the shopping experience.

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Manmayi Raval

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Food delivery apps like Talabat, Zomato, and Deliveroo have become crucial sales channels for ready meals, especially amid the growing trend of ordering food online. These platforms partner with local and international ready meal producers to offer a wide range of options that can be delivered swiftly. They cater particularly to the tech-savvy younger generation and busy professionals who prefer the convenience of having ready meals delivered directly to their doorstep. Food delivery apps like Talabat, Zomato, and Deliveroo have become crucial sales channels for ready meals, especially amid the growing trend of ordering food online. These platforms partner with local and international ready meal producers to offer a wide range of options that can be delivered swiftly. They cater particularly to the tech-savvy younger generation and busy professionals who prefer the convenience of having ready meals delivered directly to their doorstep. Urban residents, expatriates, and busy professionals often rely on the ease of online platforms and food delivery services, while families and individuals preferring to shop in person may frequent supermarkets and hypermarkets. The availability of a wide range of ready meals through multiple channels ensures that consumers can easily access and enjoy convenient meal solutions tailored to their preferences and lifestyles. Considered in this report • Historic year: 2018 • Base year: 2023 • Estimated year: 2024 • Forecast year: 2029 Aspects covered in this report • Frozen Ready Meals market with its value and forecast along with its segments • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation

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By Ready Meals: • Non-Veg Meal • Frozen Pizza • Veg-Meal By End User: • Residential • Commercial By Sales Channel: • Supermarket /modern retail/ hypermarket • Independent Retailers / Departmental /convenience store • On-line Shop The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience: This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Frozen Ready Meals industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.