UAE Fruits and Vegetables Market Analysis
The UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market size is estimated at USD 446.99 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 559.70 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The UAE is one of the most prominent agricultural markets in the GCC. The UAE fruits and vegetables market is primarily driven by food security initiatives, the considerable shift toward greenhouse production, and the rising consumer inclination for healthy diets. With rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and increasing health consciousness, individuals are shifting to nutritional organic food products.
Fruits and vegetables grown locally are more prevalent in the country. Despite environmental challenges in producing local fresh produce, the country has made tremendous efforts over the last decade by adopting sustainable and smart agriculture techniques, such as hydroponics, smart irrigation, and aquaponics. These techniques help improve the optimum utilization of arable land and the quality of local fresh produce. Moreover, the UAE has seen significant investments in hydroponic systems by international players, particularly in vertical farming and soilless cultivation methods. For instance, French startup Agricool initiated strawberry production in the UAE, utilizing hydroponic technology within the Sustainable City in 2022. Favorable government initiatives, such as the National Food Security Strategy 2017-2021, to increase local production of fruits and vegetables to 40% by 2026, are anticipated to provide a positive thrust to the market in the coming years.
UAE Fruits and Vegetables Market Trends
Rising Imports is Expected to Escalate the Consumption of Vegetables and Fruits
The UAE has been experiencing significant population growth in recent years, driven by factors such as immigration and a high birth rate. This growth has led to increased demand for food, particularly fruits and vegetables, as they are essential components of a balanced diet. For instance, according to the World Economic Outlook database, the population of the UAE increased from 9.3 million in 2018 to 9.8 million in 2022.
With a rise in disposable income, consumers in the UAE are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness, leading to a greater demand for fresh, organic, and locally sourced fruits and vegetables. The presence of a diverse population in the UAE consisting of expatriates from various countries has contributed to a wide range of culinary preferences, which has fueled the demand for various fruits and vegetables to cater to different cultural and dietary needs. This diversity has made the UAE market an attractive destination for fruit and vegetable exporters across the world.
According to the ITC Trademap, the United Arab Emirates is quite a significant importer of fresh vegetables and fruits, with annual imports valued at approximately USD 2 billion in 2022. In terms of volume, the United Arab Emirates now imports well over 3 million metric tons of fresh vegetables and fruits annually. Iran is the most important supplier of fresh vegetables and fruits to the United Arab Emirates. In 2022, nearly a million tons were imported. With 270,000 metric tons, watermelons were the most significant product imported from Iran, followed by tomatoes, apples, cabbage, onions, cauliflower, and melons. India was the second largest, with 430,000 metric tons. The United Arab Emirates imports mainly onions from India. South Africa, with 340,000 metric tons, was the third-largest supplier. This has positively impacted the market and made it more competitive, with local growers and exporters competing with global suppliers.
Moreover, as disposable income increases across the population, consumers are more willing to spend on quality food products. This economic prosperity has a direct correlation with the demand for premium and fresh fruits and vegetables, as individuals seek higher quality in their dietary choices. These developments have contributed to the growth of the fruit and vegetable market in the UAE.
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Increasing Production of Vegetables
Tomatoes are commonly cultivated in various regions of the UAE, such as Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ain, and some oases like the Liwa Oasis. However, advancements in hydroponic technology in vertical farms and greenhouses have expanded tomato cultivation beyond areas with underground water accessibility. The Red Plum Vine varieties are increasingly popular in Emirati households for year-round cooking. However, in the last four years, the demand for substitutes such as Beef and Roma tomatoes has increased. Beef variety is highly cultivated in the greenhouses in the UAE, which makes them a prevalent variety available for consumption throughout at competitive prices. The rise in the adoption of soilless production systems, commonly associated with greenhouses, helps to enhance water and land productivity for cucumber cultivation. In 2019, ICARDA's research in the UAE revealed that the adoption of soilless production systems at farmers' fields led to an increase in cucumber yield two times more than conventional soil-based methods under greenhouses.
Government efforts to raise awareness about vegetable production are actively contributing to the increased cultivation of cucumbers in the country. The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), in collaboration with local partners, has played a significant role in promoting sustainable agriculture in the UAE. As a result, ICBA successfully produced 1.6 metric tons of cucumbers in 2020, driving agricultural production and sustainability. Therefore, the rising supportive government policies and the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies are estimated to drive vegetable production in the UAE market during the forecast period.
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UAE Vegetable and Fruit Market News
- June 2024: Pure Food Technology, a UAE-based sustainable agricultural and food technology startup, cultivates leafy greens, tomatoes, baby potatoes, rice, and wheat in a vertical hydroponic farm powered by artificial intelligence, solar energy, robotics, and innovation-patented technology.
- March 2023: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, UAE, launched a project to develop a platform for emerging innovation in food production to improve the use of hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farming that uses minimal resources to produce a high yield of fresh fruit and vegetables.
UAE Fruits and Vegetables Industry Segmentation
Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Fruits and vegetables are consumed as fresh produce and are considered for the study. The UAE vegetable and fruit market is segmented by vegetables (tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, and lettuce) and fruits (strawberry and raspberry). The report includes production analysis (volume), consumption analysis (value and volume), import analysis (value and volume), export analysis (value and volume), and price trend analysis. The report offers market sizing and forecasts regarding value (USD) and volume (metric ton).
| Geography | United Arab Emirates | Production Analysis |
| Consumption Analysis | ||
| Import Market Analysis | ||
| Export Market Analysis | ||
| Price Trend Analysis | ||
| Regulatory Framework | ||
| List of Key Players | ||
| Logistic and Infrastructure |
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UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market Research Faqs
How big is the UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market?
The UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 446.99 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 4.60% to reach USD 559.70 million by 2030.
What is the current UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market size?
In 2025, the UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 446.99 million.
What years does this UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market size was estimated at USD 426.43 million. The report covers the UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the UAE Fruits And Vegetables Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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UAE Fruits And Vegetables Industry Report
The UAE fruits and vegetables market is thriving and diverse, offering an extensive range of locally grown and imported produce. This market appeals to the multicultural demographic of the region, driven by an increase in health-conscious consumers, urbanization, and the government's push for sustainable and high-tech farming practices like hydroponics. Key regions such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are at the forefront, driven by their economic stature and significant populations.
Market growth is propelled by rising disposable incomes and the growing demand for fresh, organic, and locally sourced produce. Advanced agricultural technologies play a crucial role in enhancing productivity and sustainability, addressing challenges such as water scarcity and limited arable land. Despite challenges like water scarcity and heavy reliance on imports, the competitive landscape remains strong with a mix of robust local production and imports.
The market also sees opportunities in value-added products, catering to a convenience-seeking consumer base. The focus on quality and diversified offerings continues to attract consumers, ensuring dynamic market growth. For detailed market insights and forecasts for market share, size, and growth trends, a free report PDF is available for download from Mordor Intelligence™.
The market report includes comprehensive industry analysis, industry reports, and industry research, providing valuable market data, market forecast, and market outlook. The report also covers market segmentation, market value, and market review, offering a thorough market overview. Market leaders play a significant role in shaping the industry trends and market predictions. The report example and report PDF offer additional industry information, ensuring a clear understanding of the industry outlook and growth rate.
