Executive Summary
The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) is highly dependent on imported food products. Locally processed food is mostly made from imported ingredients, of which the United States (U.S.) is a large supplier. Although locally produced foods only represent about 20% of all retail products, they are slowly on the rise. Consumers in the U.A.E. have varied tastes and preferences that are often a mix between Western and Middle Eastern, as about 85% of the population is composed of expatriates.
The consumption of ice cream in the U.A.E. is growing, reaching an estimated value of US$56.6 million in 2011. Canada exported US$16.8 million worth of ice cream to the U.A.E. in 2011, or over 4 million kilograms. The value of Canadian ice cream exports to the U.A.E. has doubled since 2006.
Canada also exports some ingredients that can be used in the production of ice cream such as skim milk powder, whey protein, and whey powder.
There is potential for new Canadian ice cream companies to enter the market if their products are marketed strongly and effectively. Ingredients such as milk powder are not present in significant amounts in the U.A.E., but there is good sales potential for these products, as the U.A.E. has eight major ice cream processing firms.
