Abu Dhabi’s food and beverage (F&B) sector continues to expand robustly, solidifying the Emirate’s position as a regional leader in the food industry. The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) announced that active memberships in the sector reached 24,594 by the end of September 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence and a dynamic business environment.
According to ADCCI data, the F&B sector is increasingly attracting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups. The first half of 2025 saw a 42.2% increase in new memberships compared to the same period in 2024, with over 570 new companies joining the Chamber within six months.
The announcement coincides with ADCCI’s participation in the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition 2025, held from 21–23 October 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) as part of Global Food Week. Through its participation, ADCCI aims to emphasise the vital role of the private sector in advancing food security and strengthening supply chain resilience.
Between 2019 and 2024, the sector recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.8%, underscoring its sustained expansion and contribution to GDP growth and economic diversification.
SMEs account for 98% of companies operating in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, highlighting their central role in driving innovation and sustainable development. The Chamber also highlighted Al Ain’s significance as an agricultural hub within Abu Dhabi, due to its rich heritage and strategic role in national food production and distribution.
According to ADCCI’s data, 94% of members are engaged in commercial activities, while the remaining 6% are involved in other sectors. Within commercial activity, groceries (8%), fresh produce (8%), and confectionery (7%) are the most dominant, while fish, chocolate, dietary supplements, and canned foods each account for 3–4%.
In the accommodation and food services sector, cafés and cafeterias lead with 23%, followed by restaurants (18%), hot and cold beverage outlets (16%), and dessert and bakery shops (14%), reflecting Abu Dhabi’s evolving culinary scene and consumer diversity.
In manufacturing, baked goods and bread products lead at 31%, followed by automated bakeries (14%), while ghee, bottled water, dairy, and dairy products each range between 13% and 14%, signalling a growing shift towards local and sustainable production.
Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Second Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of ADCCI, said:
“The food and beverage sector is a core pillar of the national economy, playing a direct role in achieving food security and supporting economic diversification. ADCCI is proud of its ongoing efforts to empower national companies operating in this vital sector by providing a supportive business environment that encourages innovation and investment, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.”
He added:
“ADCCI’s participation in Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition 2025 reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of this strategic sector and to strengthening regional and global partnerships. The exhibition is an ideal platform for knowledge exchange and showcasing innovations in agri-tech and supply chains, opening meaningful opportunities for local and international investors.”
The Chamber affirmed that the rise in F&B memberships underscores the strength of Abu Dhabi’s economy and the success of its development strategies, which aim to build a resilient and sustainable food ecosystem. This momentum underscores the increasing role of the UAE’s private sector and aligns with the nation’s shift toward a knowledge-based, innovative economy.
Abu Dhabi’s F&B sector serves as a model for sustainable development and economic integration, striking a balance between national enterprise leadership and global investor appeal, and reinforcing the Emirate’s status as a regional and global hub for food industries and modern agriculture.
