UAE Animal Feed Market Outlook to 2029

UAE Animal Feed Market Overview

The UAE Animal Feed market is valued at USD 1269.4 million, based on a five-year historical analysis. This valuation reflects a robust compound annual growth rate driven by consistent expansion in poultry and livestock farming. The volume of animal feed consumption stood at 3.00 million tonnes, highlighting the demand intensity from meat production and pet food.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai lead the UAE animal feed market due to strong agri-food investment corridors, integrated feed mill operations, and high consumption of broiler and ruminant feed. Abu Dhabi hosts several government-backed facilities such as Agthia and Al Ghurair Foods with large-scale production of 10,000 MT poultry feed annually. Dubai, on the other hand, offers infrastructural benefits through logistics parks and dry ports for streamlined import of raw materials like soy and corn.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) mandates that all imported animal feed must be pre-registered with safety and nutritional documentation. Over 85% of feed imports are subjected to inspection under UAEs animal health regulations, and inspection is done at ports including Jebel Ali, KIZAD, and Fujairah Free Zone. Certification of origin, labelling in Arabic and English, and mandatory GMO-free declarations are enforced. In recent amendments, UAE Customs has added batch-level traceability under the 2024 Feed Standards Regulation.

UAE Animal Feed Market Segmentation

By Feed Type: UAE Animal Feed market is segmented by feed type into poultry, livestock, pet feed and aquaculture. Poultry feed holds a dominant share due to higher demand for broiler meat, with investments in large-scale hatcheries and local feed production plants. These facilities support the countrys strategy to reduce import dependency and increase high-protein output for human and animal consumption.

By Poultry Sub-Type: In UAE Animal Feed market is segmented by Poultry-Sub type into boiler feed, layer feed and Other bird feed in which broiler feed segment holds the majority of poultry feed share in UAE due to high-volume broiler meat production. With an output of 2,880 tons annually and hatcheries producing 10-million-day-old chicks, this feed is crucial for meeting rising chicken consumption. Additionally, poultry fats contribute as base ingredients for value-added feed solutions.

UAE Animal Feed Market Competitive Landscape

The UAE Animal Feed market is dominated by integrated regional producers supported by robust infrastructure, automated feed mills, and direct supply chains. Companies like National Feed and Agrivita lead in production capacity and cater to varied animal segments including poultry, livestock, and aquaculture. The use of customized feed formulations, compliance with UAE safety standards, and expansion in free zones contribute to their sustained market presence.

UAE Animal Feed Market Analysis

Growth Drivers

Rising Poultry Integration and Broiler Production: The UAE has strengthened its poultry infrastructure with major players producing over 10 million day-old chicks annually, and handling over 10,000 metric tons of poultry meat per year. This supports internal protein demand while reducing reliance on imports. As per the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051, such vertical integration reduces pressure on feed imports and accelerates domestic feed demand through efficient poultry-to-feed conversion chains.

Growing Livestock Base and National Food Focus: UAE's livestock population has expanded to over 2.2 million heads, driven by increased meat consumption and Emirati dietary preferences. With an annual demand for 400 metric tons of poultry-derived fats used as feed inputs, local livestock systems are increasingly integrated with feed production cycles. This push is reinforced by national programs that link animal husbandry growth with strategic food self-reliance.

Pet Food Demand from Urban Growth: There are 1.5 million registered pet animals in UAEs major emirates, led by Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Urban pet ownership growth is fueling the demand for pet-specific feed. Veterinary health product sales have grown steadily, with support from entities like ADAFSA for regulated formulations. The growing middle class, currently estimated at over 3 million people, is shifting toward higher-nutrition packaged pet food, boosting this segments feed demand.

Market Challenges

High Import Dependency on Raw Inputs: UAE imports over 90% of its animal feed ingredients including corn, soybean meal, and wheat from Brazil, Argentina, and India. Any geopolitical tension or logistics disruption results in immediate feed shortages. In 2023, Red Sea shipping delays and volatility in global grain markets directly impacted container movement for feedstuff, leading to extended lead times and variability in nutritional consistency in end feed products.

Rising Raw Material Conversion and Water Usage: The average water footprint for producing 1 kg of animal feed in arid climates like UAE ranges between 500 to 1,000 liters, significantly higher than temperate regions. Feed producers using alfalfa and corn require extensive irrigation setups. With the UAE facing annual rainfall levels of only 78 mm and groundwater reserves declining at 0.5 meters per year, local production faces environmental pressure.

UAE Animal Feed Market Future Outlook

Over the next five years, the UAE Animal Feed Market is expected to experience stable growth driven by strategic policy reforms and national food security initiatives. Investments are anticipated in aquaculture, camel feed, and integrated ruminant-poultry systems, supported by Vision 2030 and the National Food Security Strategy 2051. Rising demand for non-GMO and functional feed additives aligned with consumer preferences for ethically sourced animal products will further shape the markets trajectory.

Market Opportunities

Emerging Cold Chain Backbone in FMCG Logistics: Indias cold storage infrastructure is on a transformational path, with over 7 million metric tonnes of capacity already added and more in the pipeline, as supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. As cold chain networks expand deeper into secondary and tertiary markets, the future of long-haul FMCG logistics will increasingly favor canned beverages. With advantages like lower refrigeration dependency, stackability, and minimal leakage risk, metal cans are poised to become the preferred packaging format for new-age distribution corridors.

Future-Ready Localization of Can Components: Indias packaging ecosystem is primed for a strategic leap. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes integration into packaging materials is catalyzing the setup of localized facilities for aluminum lids, tabs, and digitally printed sheets. As more canmakers invest in domestic component manufacturing, India is set to minimize its reliance on imported raw materials. This shift will significantly enhance supply chain responsiveness, optimize lead times, and pave the way for cost-efficient, high-speed production in the next phase of canned beverage growth.