As people slowly get back to their spending habits after two years of COVID disruptions, sales at restaurants, cafes, and other places serving food are expected to increase by almost 50%, says a report.
According to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, which used data from Euromonitor International, consumer food service businesses in the UAE made AED 58.4 billion (USD 15.9 billion) in sales in 2022. This was due to the quick response to and recovery from COVID and strong economic growth.
According to Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, president and chief executive officer of the Dubai Chamber, the amount is expected to increase by 48% to AED 86.4 billion (USD 23.5 billion) by 2027.
The food service industry, which includes cafes, bars, full-service and limited-service restaurants, as well as self-service cafeterias, is constantly monitored by Euromonitor. Full-service restaurant sales increased by 24% in 2022 to AED 32.5 billion, as per the company’s data.
As it introduced six business groups for the food and beverage (F&B) industry, including those for HORECA merchants, meat and poultry, bakeries, organic food, and grocery, as well as the hypermarket and supermarket sectors, the Dubai Chamber released the latest statistics.
By 2023, the chamber hopes to have 100 business groups established. It also stated that the groups would concentrate on fostering the growth of food businesses to raise Dubai’s food and beverage sector’s visibility in the international community.
Spending on fresh food is also anticipated to rise in the coming days. Between 2022 and 2027, sales are predicted to climb at a CAGR of 4.9%. In addition, a 3.9% increase will be seen in packaged food within the same time frame.
Traditional grocery store sales are anticipated to total AED 11.4 billion between 2021 and 2026, a CAGR of 3%.
During the same period, supermarket retail sales in the UAE are anticipated to increase to AED 19.7 billion, representing a 4% CAGR.