Scale of Import Dependency
The UAE imports approximately 85 to 90 percent of its food requirements, making it one of the most import-dependent nations in the world for food supply. This structural dependency is a direct consequence of the country’s arid climate, limited arable land (less than 1 percent of total land area is cultivated), scarce freshwater resources, and a rapidly growing population that reached approximately 10 million by 2025. Annual food and beverage imports are valued at approximately $20 billion, making the UAE one of the largest food importers in the Gulf region.
Food security has been elevated to a top-tier national priority, reflected in the establishment of the Emirates Food Security Council, the appointment of a Minister of State for Food and Water Security, and the integration of food security targets into the We the UAE 2031 strategic framework.
Import Composition and Source Countries
| Food Category | Import Share | Primary Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Cereals and Grains | ~95% imported | India, Australia, Canada, Russia |
| Dairy Products | ~80% imported | New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, EU |
| Meat (Red and Poultry) | ~85% imported | Brazil, Australia, India, Pakistan |
| Fruits and Vegetables | ~75% imported | India, Iran, Egypt, South Africa |
| Rice | ~100% imported | India, Pakistan, Thailand |
| Sugar | ~100% imported | Brazil, India |
| Vegetable Oils | ~95% imported | Malaysia, Indonesia, India |
The concentration of supply sources creates geopolitical and logistical vulnerability. India’s periodic export bans on rice and wheat, shipping disruptions in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, and climate-driven production shortfalls in key exporting regions all represent tangible risks to the UAE’s food supply chain.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global supply chain disruptions exposed the fragility of the UAE’s food import model. While the country avoided severe shortages, the experience highlighted several structural weaknesses: extended shipping timelines, port congestion, inventory management gaps, and the vulnerability of just-in-time supply chains to simultaneous global shocks.
The 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict added a second layer of disruption, driving up global wheat, sunflower oil, and fertiliser prices. The UAE’s position as a net importer of all three categories meant the price impact was transmitted directly to domestic food costs, contributing to consumer price inflation.
| Risk Factor | Severity | Mitigation Status |
|---|---|---|
| Strait of Hormuz chokepoint | High | Overland route development, strategic stockpiling |
| Single-source concentration | Medium-High | Source diversification in progress |
| Global commodity price volatility | Medium | Strategic reserves, hedging mechanisms |
| Climate disruption to exporters | Medium | Domestic agritech investment |
| Pandemic-related logistics | Medium | Port infrastructure upgrades |
National Food Security Strategy
The UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051 targets reducing food insecurity, improving nutritional outcomes, and building a resilient food system. The strategy operates across multiple pillars.
Strategic Stockpiling
The UAE has invested in strategic food reserves, with stockpile targets for critical commodities including rice, wheat, sugar, and cooking oil. The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology works with trading companies and government entities to maintain reserve levels sufficient to cover several months of domestic consumption.
Overseas Farmland and Supply Agreements
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and private UAE entities have invested in agricultural land in Sudan, Pakistan, Australia, Serbia, and other countries, securing long-term supply arrangements for grains, livestock feed, and other staples. These investments provide a degree of supply security that purely market-based procurement does not.
Domestic Agricultural Technology
The government has invested heavily in controlled environment agriculture, including vertical farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse technology adapted to desert conditions. Companies such as Madar Farms, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, and RNZ (operating under the brand Bustanica, the world’s largest indoor vertical farm) are expanding domestic production capacity for leafy greens, tomatoes, and other high-value crops.
| Domestic Initiative | Status | Production Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Bustanica Vertical Farm | Operational | ~3,000 kg/day leafy greens |
| Pure Harvest Greenhouses | Expanding | Tomatoes, peppers, strawberries |
| Al Ain Farms | Expanding | Dairy and poultry |
| Fish Farming (Aquaculture) | Growing | Tilapia, sea bream |
| Date Production (Domestic) | Established | ~350,000 tonnes/year |
Trade Route Diversification
Investments in port infrastructure (Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali), logistics free zones (KIZAD, Dubai South), and cold chain logistics have strengthened the physical infrastructure supporting food imports. The UAE has also pursued bilateral trade agreements with food-exporting nations to secure preferential access and supply guarantees.
Food Price Dynamics and Consumer Impact
Food price inflation has become a significant concern for the UAE’s large expatriate workforce, many of whom earn modest incomes and spend a disproportionate share on food. While the government has implemented price monitoring and periodic subsidy measures, the structural dependence on imports means that global commodity price movements are transmitted relatively quickly to domestic retail prices.
The UAE’s role as a regional food re-export hub (through Jebel Ali and other ports) creates a secondary dynamic: food commodities that transit through the UAE may be diverted to domestic consumption during shortages, but re-export demand can also compete with domestic supply during tight markets.
Outlook and Strategic Assessment
Eliminating food import dependency is not a realistic objective given the UAE’s climate and geography. The strategic calculus instead centres on building resilience: diversifying sources, maintaining strategic reserves, investing in domestic production where economically viable, and leveraging the country’s logistical infrastructure and financial resources to secure supply under a range of disruption scenarios. Food security will remain a permanent strategic concern for UAE policymakers, requiring sustained investment and diplomatic engagement across the global food system.