United Arab Emirates (UAE) Spreads Market Overview, 2028

The UAE has a rich and diverse food culture that reflects the country's history, traditions, and multicultural society. Food spreads, often referred to as "mezze" or "maza," are an integral part of Emirati and Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Emirati cuisine features a blend of traditional Arab flavours with influences from Persia, India, and East Africa. Emirati food spreads often include dishes like hummus (chickpea dip), moutabal (eggplant dip), tabbouleh (herb salad), fattoush (bread salad), falafel (fried chickpea balls), grilled kebabs, and biryani (spiced rice with meat or vegetables). Food spreads are often viewed as convenient options for quick meals, snacks, or on-the-go consumption. In a fast-paced urban environment like the UAE, where many individuals have busy lifestyles, spreads can be easily incorporated into sandwiches, wraps, or as accompaniments to bread, making them popular choices for a quick and satisfying bite. Emirati residents often have a cultural appreciation for traditional spreads that are part of their culinary heritage. These spreads, such as khameer with date syrup or labneh, hold cultural significance and are enjoyed as a connection to their roots and traditional Emirati cuisine. They are often served during gatherings, family meals, and special occasions, evoking a sense of nostalgia and cultural pride. UAE residents appreciate high-quality food products, and this extends to food spreads as well. Premium and artisanal spreads made with natural ingredients, unique flavour combinations, or specialised production methods often find a receptive audience among those seeking a more gourmet experience or looking for unique flavours and textures.

According to the research report "United Arab Emirates Spreads Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, The United Arab Emirates Market was valued at above USD 1.56 Billion in 2022. Spreadable fats like butter, margarine, and cheese are commonly used as spreads in the UAE. Butter, made from cream, is a popular choice for spreading on bread or toast, particularly during breakfast or tea time. Margarine, a vegetable oil-based spread, is also widely used as a butter substitute. Cheese, available in various types and flavours, is another spreadable fat that is enjoyed on bread, crackers, or as an ingredient in sandwiches and wraps. Furthermore, Fruit jams and preserves are widely consumed in the UAE as sweet spreads. They are made by cooking fruit with sugar to create a thick, fruity spread. Popular flavours include strawberry, raspberry, apricot, and fig. These spreads are enjoyed on bread, toast, or pastries and are often served during breakfast or as part of afternoon tea. Like in many other parts of the world, UAE residents are increasingly health-conscious and pay attention to the nutritional value of the food they consume. There is a growing interest in healthier food spread options, such as natural nut butters without added sugar or salt, organic fruit spreads, and spreads made from alternative ingredients like seeds or legumes. Consumers often seek out spreads that align with their dietary preferences and goals. Prominent brands in the UAE's food spread market include Nutella, Al Marai, Kraft, Puck, Bonne Maman, St. Dalfour, Biona Organic, Lindt, Al Rifai, Baladna, Sacla, Al Fez, Al Wadi Al Akhdar, Justin's, and Balqees. These brands offer a wide range of spreads, including chocolate-hazelnut, butter, cheese, fruit jams, savoury spreads, and honey-based options, catering to various taste preferences in the UAE.

The UAE has government regulations in place regarding food safety and labelling, which also apply to food spreads. The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) is responsible for setting and enforcing these regulations. The UAE has implemented food safety standards that cover various aspects of food production, handling, storage, and distribution. These standards aim to ensure the safety and quality of food products, including spreads, to protect public health. The UAE has implemented food safety standards that cover various aspects of food production, handling, storage, and distribution. These standards aim to ensure the safety and quality of food products, including spreads, to protect public health. Food spreads must have clearly marked shelf-life dates, indicating the recommended period during which they can be consumed safely. Proper storage instructions must be provided to ensure the longevity and quality of the product. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are major retail channels for spreads in the UAE. These large-scale stores offer a wide variety of brands and flavours, making them easily accessible to consumers. Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Spinneys, Choithrams, and Al Maya Supermarket are popular retail destinations in the UAE for purchasing spreads. Convenience stores play a significant role in the distribution of spreads in the UAE, offering convenience and accessibility for consumers. Popular convenience store chains in the UAE include Zoom, Circle K, and 7-Eleven. These stores are conveniently located and provide a range of everyday products, including spreads. The household market includes individual consumers who purchase spreads for personal use in their homes. This market segment comprises the majority of consumers and drives a significant portion of the sales and demand for spreads.

The UAE has a rapidly growing population, which directly contributes to increased consumption of spreads. As more people settle in the country, the demand for spreads for personal consumption, breakfast, and snacking purposes continues to rise. As lifestyles become more fast-paced, there is a greater emphasis on convenience and ready-to-use food options. Spreads offer a quick and easy solution for breakfast, snacks, and meal preparations, making them a popular choice among busy individuals and families. The UAE is a global tourism and hospitality hub, attracting millions of visitors each year. This industry contributes to the demand for spreads in hotels, restaurants, and catering services, presenting opportunities for spread manufacturers and suppliers. The UAE is home to a large expatriate community from various countries. This diversity drives the demand for a wide range of spreads, including those that cater to specific cultural preferences and tastes. The UAE market for spreads is highly competitive, with a wide range of brands and options available to consumers. Manufacturers and suppliers need to differentiate their products through quality, flavours, pricing, and marketing strategies to stand out and capture market share. Spreads are perishable items that require proper storage and handling to maintain their quality and freshness. Suppliers need to ensure adequate distribution channels, cold storage facilities, and an appropriate shelf life to prevent spoilage and meet consumer expectations.

Considered in this report
• Geography: United Arab Emirates
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:
• United Arab Emirates Spread Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type:
• Spreadable Fats
• Fruit Jam & Preserve Spreads
• Nut Based Spreads
• Chocolate Spreads
• Savory Spreads
• Honey Based Spreads



By End-Use:
• Household
• Commercial

By Nature:
• Conventional
• Organic / Plant Based

By Distribution Channel:
• Hypermarket & Supermarket
• Convenience Store
• Online
• Others (Foodserive & Direct Sales)

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, analyzing 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 spread 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.